The more Kilmurry play, the luckier they get

Ability, self-belief, emotion and steely resolve have been clearly visible in the plentiful mix that has propelled Kilmurry-Ibrickane to Croke Park.
Last Sunday in Limerick, it fell to Michael O’Dwyer, Stephen Moloney and Noel Downes to avail of the summer-like surface in The Gaelic Grounds and leave Portlaoise breathlessly adrift.
Some of their breathlessness can be linked to the fact that they only had 15 men for 20 seconds and had to make do with just 13 for the last 21 minutes.
Unwittingly, yet almost to the letter, Portlaoise followed Kilmurry’s 2005 example. That day in Ballinasloe, Kilmurry had two men sent off and tumbled out at the All-Ireland semi-final stage, at odds with the world.
Last weekend, Portlaoise imploded. As early as Brian Mulligan’s indiscretion was, he just had to go.
Kilmurry didn’t relax though and rely on their numerical advantage. They tore at Portlaoise, playing the best football ever played by the club, at a pace that Portlaoise couldn’t handle.
As stunned as the Leinster champions were at the early red card, they were even more taken aback at the breadth and quality of Kilmurry-Ibrickane.
Up to their knees in Ruislip, such was the quicksand nature of the surface, Kilmurry’s apparently defunct attack cut loose in Limerick. They were men re-born.
However, their defensive colleagues were simply themselves. Not having conceded a goal since letting in two in the county final last October, they repeatedly forced a befuddled Portlaoise outfield, without resorting to conceding soft frees. Portlaoise couldn’t locate a blade of grass that wasn’t filled by a disciplined, focused Kilmurry defender.
But while Kilmurry have largely contributed to their own rise, they have benefited from the odd, pivotal dose of luck.
Remember Kerin’s O’Rahilly’s last-minute disallowed goal in the Munster final on December 6? Kilmurry’s reaction? Rather than dwelling on how a square ball had saved them, Kilmurry, through Dermot O’Brien twice took a quick free, which culminated in Evan Talty kicking the winning point.
An example of a bit of luck ruthlessly capitalised upon. Every other Clare team, if they had been in that position, would have taken the draw. Kilmurry are different. They are infused by rampant self-belief, which has helped them become county, provincial and now possibly All-Ireland champions.
Tír Chonaill Gaels also found the Kilmurry net but had their goal disallowed, while Portlaoise endured the very same experience; netting but not having a green flag waved in their favour.
Remember Doonbeg? They will never be allowed forget how they let Kilmurry wriggle free in the county semi-final in Cooraclare on September 26 last.
Kilmurry were gone. It wasn’t a case of Kilmurry battling their way back in a heroic manner. It had more to do with Doonbeg lacking a killer instinct and instead of finishing their neighbours, they benignly beckoned them back into the game. How Kilmurry grasped that reprieve both that day and since. Only a team of winners can hang in when the tide is battering into their faces.
Take Portlaoise. Once they lost Brian Mulligan, they also discarded their composure. On the field and on the sideline, as evidenced by their manager’s heated words with Michael Duffy, the referee, at half-time. As clinically as is imaginable, Kilmurry took absolute advantage of Portlaoise’s travails and wiped them.
Luck has aided Kilmurry – but only to reinforce their winning mentality. Most teams benefit from a bit of luck, be it a refereeing decision or some helpful action on behalf of the opposition. The majority, however, don’t take full advantage in the manner of Kilmurry.
On a local level, Clare clubs will be very keen to take on Kilmurry, be it in Cusack Cup or championship. Not until after March 17 though. Until then, Clare will be behind Kilmurry. Anybody who isn’t can be discounted if parochialism still bests them, under these circumstances. 
Hopefully, the element of luck will stay loyal to Kilmurry between now and March 17 and on the day itself. Even if it doesn’t, it mightn’t matter. To paraphrase Gary Player, the more Kilmurry play, practice and win, the luckier they get.