O'Sullivan's strike key as Cappoquin claim Munster title

The corner-forward scored a 40th-minute goal to put the Waterford side in front for the first time at 1-10 to 0-10. Then, after their Limerick opponents produced a spirited response to tie the scores, in the 59th minute O'Sullivan profited from Conor Murray's clearance to send over a fine point from the left.

The win makes Cappoquin the first Waterford club to win provincial honours at this grade and they certainly earned it. Under pressure in the first half, they rallied to trail by just a point, 0-9 to 0-8, at half-time and then improved in the second period.

Midfielder Jason Hayes and corner-forward Shane Bulfin were the scoring stars for Bruff in that first half and Gary Kirby's side looked very comfortable when they had an 0-8 to 0-4 lead after Chris Browne's point on 22 minutes.

POSITIVE

Cappoquin's response was positive, though. Andy Molumby, Paul Murray and O'Sullivan all scored as they cut the gap to a point and though Bulfin responded, Shane O'Rourke ensured the minimum separated the sides at the break.

Finan Murray tied early in the second half and Jason Hayes edged Bruff in front once more but it would be the last time they led. Cappoquin captain O'Rourke, so impressive from dead balls throughout, made it 0-10 each and then O'Sullivan struck, firing home at the second attempt after Conor McEniry had blocked his first effort.

To Bruff's credit, they responded well, with Bulfin getting two frees. By and large Cappoquin's defending was excellent though, with Conor Murray outstanding at centre-back.

They were finding scores difficult and eventually the Bruff pressure told as Colin Madden tied the game at 0-13 to 1-10.

There was time for either side to seize it, though, and when it came down to it Cappoquin took their chance while Bruff couldn't.

An All-Ireland semi-final awaits against the Ulster champions O'Donovan Rossa.

Scorers - Cappoquin-Affane: S O'Rourke 0-5 (3fs, 0-1 65), K O'Sullivan 1-2, F Murray 0-2, P Murray, K Landers 0-1 each. Bruff: S Bulfin 0-6 (4fs), J Hayes 0-3, C Madden 0-2, P Browne, C Browne 0-1 each.

CAPPOQUIN-AFFANE - D O'Rourke; T Looby, C Looby, P Morrissey; D Cahillane, C Murray, S Murray; PJ Curran, P Murray; S O'Rourke, K Landers, A Molumby; S Coughlan, F Murray, K O'Sullivan. Subs: A O'Sullivan for Coughlan (52), D McCarthy for Curran (60).

BRUFF - E Finn; B Finn, C McEniry, J O'Riordan; D Madden, C Madden, B O'Brien; P Browne, J Hayes; C Browne, C Madden, P O'Leary; S Bulfin, J Cooke, S Finn. Subs: M O'Hara for Cooke (41), G Whelan for O'Leary (46), T Burke for C Browne (58).

Ref - D Kirwan (Cork)