Stradbally and Kilmurry/Ibrickane's clash in the Munster club football final will be only the second time in the history of the competition that the decider will not be contested by a team from either Kerry or Cork. Waterford champions Stradbally will meet their Clare counterparts Kilmurry/Ickbrane in the decider on December 5th, with the only other time that neither of the big two were represented coming way back in 1998 when Doonbeg (Clare) and Moyle Rovers (Tipperary) met. Stradbally coach Sean Aherne admits that it is a huge surprise for them to be in the final, but stressed that the Waterford champions had the capability of winning the title. "To say we are surprised at being in the final is an under-statement. We never set out with that goal in mind. Then, once the big names like Nemo Rangers, Castlehaven, An Ghaeltacht and Laune Rangers were not involved it opened the door for clubs like ourselves, Drom Broadford and Kilmurry to make a change," admitted Aherne. "In a two-horse race, you have a 50-50 chance and, despite what we saw in Quilty on Sunday, we have the utmost confidence in our lads to get a result." Tweet

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