5 football finals dominate weekend
Ten clubs go in search of glory with 5 McCarthy Insurance Group County Football Finals down for decision all in Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, from Friday evening through to Sunday afternoon.
Premier Senior
Nemo Rangers v Castlehaven on Sunday at 3.30pm
“It has been a long year, especially after losing the All-Ireland semi-final, but we got back training after a few weeks off, hadn’t a great league but we were ready for the 1st round of the championship and it just took off from there.” Castlehaven captain Mark Collins reflecting on their season to date.
The group with a couple of local derbies in the mix looked tricky but it was safely navigated direct to the semi-final. “We felt if we won our first game against Clonakilty which is always a tough one, we would build on that and it worked out fine and getting to the semi-final was ideal.”
Crucially that gave them a break and hopefully injuries would clear up, but as always something happens and Damien Cahalane picked up a knock that limited his time in the semi-final, but Mark is hopeful they will be okay for Sunday. “Damien is a big player for us, as is Conor but it looks like they could be okay and that is a big boost.”
Going in as champions and favourites adds a bit of pressure and with Nemo waiting, Mark is well aware of the challenge ahead. “Nemo are a brilliant club, their record speaks for itself, and while we won last year, it was only by a couple of late points and they will be just as difficult to beat this time.”
Robbie O’Dwyer is in his first year as manager, as is Castlehaven’s Seanie Cahalane, and despite losing a few players, he is delighted with the season has gone. “Absolutely we did lose a few but we had good young lads coming in and with the more experienced guiding them along, we are where we always aim to be and really looking forward to Sunday.”
Robbie had mixed views on their semi-final win over Mallow: “Strange one, never felt we were going to lose, but gave away a few sloppy scores and at times made it harder for ourselves, but as I always say semi-finals are for winning and that’s what we done.”
As for Castlehaven, he says they’re “excellent” and he was “very impressed with their semi-final display and we will need to be at our best to beat them, but we know that and have done our homework and we will be ready”.
Having played hurling last Saturday, and apart from the defeat, an injury to Brian Murphy is a concern. “He’s doubtful, we won’t know for a few days after he has a scan, but hopefully he will be okay as it would be tough on him to miss out after such a good campaign.”
If ruled out he would be a loss as along with Colm Molloy they have excelled in defence with Kevin O’Donovan and Stephen Cronin as dependable as ever.
Whatever 6 they name it will be a formidable task to contain the ‘Haven attack, especially Brian Hurley 0-11 in the win over the ‘Barr’s and in top from right now, add Jack Cahalane and Cathal Maguire to the mix and a busy hour lies ahead.
Paul Kerrigan has been the fulcrum of the Nemo attack still scoring regularly and has filled the free taking role after the retirement of Luke Connolly. Mark Cronin is also playing well and Conor Horgan is also a threat.
Defensively the champions are strong with Rory Maguire and Mark Collins solid and dependable at all times.
The midfield battle could be interesting especially if Damien is fit he could be named there, with Alan O’Donovan and Barry Cripps providing the expected opposition.
It is of course a repeat of last year’s final, and in their proud history Nemo have never lost back to back finals, while the ‘Haven are bidding to retain the title a feat they last achieved in 2012 and 2013.
Castlehaven are justifiably favourites, have been the form team throughout the championship and while I think they will win, but never underestimate Nemo Rangers in a final.
That said, Castlehaven to win.
Senior A
Knocknagree v Carrigaline on Sunday at 1.30pm
This championship has delivered some cracking encounters - just look back at Carrigaline’s semi-final win over Kanturk decided on the dreaded penalty shootout, after a compelling contest.
Carrigaline who will contest the hurling final a week later are really in top form and the dual players with excellent co-operation are really thriving in the environment created by the team managements.
Knocknagree under the guidance of John Fintan Daly have been there or thereabouts in recent years, but this season with a changed team and all players available, they have really shown what they are capable of.
Unbeaten in the group and at one stage in their semi-final they were 0-11 to 0-2 in front having kicked some quality points, and when Doheny’s battled back they held their nerve and composure to run out comfortable winners, to reach their 2nd final in 3 years having lost to St Michaels in 2022.
Carrigaline have displayed similar traits, trailing Cill Na Marta in their group game they produced a stunning 2nd half to win a big game, while at times in the semi-final with Kanturk they were under pressure but they kept at it and got their reward.
There is no doubt that Brian O’Driscoll has been a huge addition and with Niall Coakley, Eanna Desmond, Cian Barry, Niall Quirke offering great support they will really test the Duhallow side.
Kevin Kavanagh is a loss through injury, while the impact of Ryan Delaney off the bench could be crucial.
Daniel O’Mahony has been a real leader for JF Daly’s side and could be detailed to curtail O’Driscoll, Patrick Doyle is an excellent goalkeeper, Eoghan McSweeney, Anthony O’Connor, Killian Cronin and Kealan Buckley
This has the makings of a fascinating contest between two teams that play a good open brand of football and if the weather gods oblige, it could be a high scoring encounter.
I know ‘a hard one to call’ is a well used line, but this one is, and after all that I am giving the nod to Knocknagree to complete the journey from junior in Duhallow to the top tier in Cork football.
Premier Intermediate Final
Kilshannig v Aghabullogue on Saturday at 7.30pm
With their semi-final against Iveleary in added time, Kilshannig were heading out of the championship as it looked all set to be another all Mid-Cork final, but there was a twist.
Kilshannig overturned possession on the 45 metre line and Tom Cunningham hit the levelling point to force extra-time, at the end of which they emerged 2-11 to 1-11 winners and back in the final.
Their season has been a catalogue of injuries forcing key players, notably Eanna and Killian O’Hanlon to miss games and at times limit their preparation, but here they are 60 minutes away from winning a much coveted county title.
Aghabulloge’s story is just as dramatic; in their 1st season at this level having won the Intermediate title last year, they went 3 from 3 in the group, then beating Mid-Cork rivals Naomh Abán in the semi-final, all that while battling to avoid relegation from Premier Intermediate in hurling.
Paul Ring and Matthew Bradley are mainstays of this team while John Corkery as captain has been a real leader.
Just like Aghabullogue, Kilshannig despite their lengthy injury list, 33 players used to date, topped their group and showed their resolve by the manner of their semi-final win.
Lively game in prospect not easy to pick a winner, so we’ll take a punt on Kilshannig.
Intermediate
Boherbue v Glanmire on Saturday at 5.30pm
Like the Premier Junior Final, this is a repeat of a group game in which Glanmire won narrowly and since then, have impressed in reaching this final.
Coming just a few days after their sister club Sars lost the hurling decider, they will be determined to give the area a lift and will have 2 dual players in their squad: Daniel Hogan and Cathal McCarthy.
Boherbue have been making progress in this grade over the years and will see this as the ideal opportunity to finally make the step up to a higher level.
Both won their semi-finals by the same score 1-9 to 0-11, Glanmire getting the better of Gabriel Rangers, while Boherbue produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Adrigole.
The manner of that win will surely give them the belief that they have the ability to win and will look to Michael O’Connor, John Corkery who struck the match winning goal in injury time, Daniel Buckley and captain Gerry O’Sullivan.
Glanmire have also impressed and withstood a strong comeback from their West Cork opponents to edge an exciting semi-final, and having won the county minor title a few years ago, the club are going in the right direction.
Conor Nelligan is their captain, while Daniel Molden, Conor Crowley, Darren Kenneally, Timmy O’Donoghue and David McCarthy have a wealth of experience and with the younger players also impressing, there is a nice blend in their team.
The group game was a tight affair, expect the same with this one with Glanmire to win.
Premier Junior
Canovee v Kilmurry on Friday at 8pm
As local derbies go, they do not get more local than this; they more or less reside in the same parish and players from both sides have hurled with Cloughduv.
For Kilmurry it’s a 3rd final in a row, one win over Cobh in the county junior decider, and an agonising late loss to St Finbarr’s in the final of this championship last season.
Throw in 2 Munster Final appearances on the bounce and they certainly won’t lack for match day experience.
As for Canovee, they were crowned county junior champions last year and to reach the final this year is a fair achievement.
They did meet in the group phase and Canovee won 2-8 to 0-9, but both sides were already through to the knockout stages.
It’s been a long and demanding few years for Kilmurry but it’s to their credit that have kept at it and bouncing back from defeats would indicate a degree of resolve.
In their QF they took Glenville apart and then beat a highly-rated Buttevant side in the semi-final with Liam Wall, Padraig Brehanu, Laurence Aisling and Joe McGinn playing important roles.
Canovee went direct to the semi-final, coming out the right side after a tough test from Kinsale with exceptional displays from Ryan Delaney, Brian McNabola, James Moynihan, William Ahern and Daire McMahon.
I would suspect excitement in the parish is at fever pitch for this eagerly awaited contest with bragging rights and a place in the Munster Championship along with promotion to a higher grade for next season at stake.
Never easy calling a local derby but the greater big match experience might shade it for Kilmurry.
The finals on Saturday and Sunday are live on C103.
Keep an eye on
Premier Intermediate Hurling semi-final featuring Watergrasshill v Mallow on Saturday at 4pm in Castletownroche.
Munster Senior Club Camogie Championship with St Finbarr’s v Clonoulty-Rossmore on Saturday at 2pm in Clonoulty.
Munster Club Junior Ladies Football sees Midleton v Shamrock’s from Waterford in Lismore at 1pm on Saturday.