Three more finals down for decision
After the excitement and quality of the Nemo v ‘Barrs final, let’s hope for more of the same this weekend with 2 McCarthy Insurance Group Football Finals in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh and 3 Muskerry clubs involved.
East Cork rivals Castlelyons and Bride Rovers will go again in the Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling final replay and again all 3 will be live on C103.
Co-Op Superstores Senior A Hurling Final Replay
Bride Rovers v Castlelyons on Saturday at 3.30pm
Leaving the venue last Saturday evening, it’s hard to know who was the happier of two clubs given they will have to do it all again after a match that never really came to life.
Bride Rovers will probably have a few more regrets as the led twice by 6 points and had a late chance to win it but given that Alan Fenton landed a massive equaliser it would have been cruel on Castlelyons had they lost.
The fact that both will have disappointed with their overall display, expect much improvement on Saturday.
Castlelyons will want to start much better while Bride will hope for a more consistent 60 plus minutes.
There is a lot of quality on both teams so they will be keen to show that. They include Jack Barry, Alan Fenton, the Spillanes Anthony, Colm and Dara, David Morrison and Niall O’Leary for Castlelyons.
Brian and Eoin Roche, Adam Walsh, Cillian Tobin, Conleith Ryan, David Barry and Cian Hogan anchor Rover’s challenge.
Replays can be hard to call - how often have we said that? Bride may regret their failure to close it out last week, but then again they will take confidence that they can match their more experienced opponents and that might be enough to get them over the line, even if it takes extra-time.
Both clubs had the option of deferring the replay until the Cork hurlers returned from their holiday but decided to go ahead this weekend with all 3 players expressing a desire to play the game.
McCarthy Insurance Group Intermediate A Football Final
Ilen Rovers v Ballinora on Sunday at 1.30pm
Hard to believe it is 2007 since Ilen last contested a county final and after a few tough years with successive relegations, they are back in the big time and on the cusp of taking a step back up the ladder in Cork football.
Standing in their way is a very determined Ballinora side who showed their resolve by getting the better of neighbours Kilmurry in a cracking semi-final.
That said Ilen also displayed remarkable resilience in getting the better of a battling Adrigole side that too extra-time to resolve.
Dan McEoin - a player of immense talent - has been in great form for the West Cork side hitting 0-12 in that game and might just be coming right after a few injuries curtailed the early part of his season.
There’s more to this side then just McEoin and Peadar O’Driscoll, Alan Holland, Dermot Hegarty and Kevin O’Driscoll were big players in their semi-final win; they will look for a repeat performance again on Sunday.
For the Mid-Cork side, this is a progressive season having been denied a QF berth on scoring difference last season, Ken O’Halloran has really worked the oracle this year and now they are 60 minutes from playing a higher grade of football in 2026.
In their semi-final they were underdogs against a Kilmurry side fancied by many to make it back to back counties having won the Premier Junior title last season.
Neil Lordan, Robert Quirke, Mark O’Brien, James Byrne, Shane Kingston and Michael Quirke delivered big time when the need was greatest in a thrilling semi-final.
Both teams are coming in on the back of exciting and dramatic wins which sets it up nicely for another intriguing encounter.
Picking a winner, well I’ll take a punt on Ballinora.
McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Intermediate Football Final
Aghabullogue v Iveleary on Sunday at 3.30pm
Well if Bride Rovers and Castlelyons are near neighbours, well these two are just as close and intense rivals with a lot more than just pride at stake.
The prospect of Senior A Football next season a huge motivation and for Aghabullogue on the double hunt with a hurling final to come next weekend.
They have been down this road before having contested both finals at the lower grade in recent years and know exactly what’s required. It's a similar situation for the Gaeltacht men - winners on the very same pitch a short few years ago, so no advantage to either side.
In the semi-final last year, Iveleary looked to have done enough to win but a few basic errors saw Kilshannig take it to extra-time and ultimately victory. In fact they were crowned champions a few weeks later, so that hurt will drive them on.
Newly appointed Cork Under 20 Manager Ray Keane has vast experience of county final day; he was St Finbarr’s coach a short few years ago, and that will also help.
However when the ball is thrown in it’s down to the 30 plus on the field to deliver.
Iveleary were comfortable and impressive winners of Aghada in their semi-final with Chris Óg Jones, Cathal Vaughan, Sean O’Leary, Daniel O’Riordan, Barry Murphy and Conor O’Leary playing important roles.
Battling on two fronts has not hindered Aghabullogue’s approach over the years and this was very evident in their narrow win over another Gaeltacht side Naomh Abán in the semi-final.
Paul Ring, Matthew Bradley, John Corkery, Luke Casey - 2 goals in that win, Aaron O’Sullivan and Adam Murphy have been consistent performers in both codes over the years and will not be found wanting on this occasion.
Aghabullogue were runners-up in this championship last year, this time they could very well get to climb the steps as champions and claim the first leg of a possible double.
County junior hurling and football championships
The race to replace Ballydesmond in Premier Junior Football and Meelin in Premier Junior Hurling for next year gathers momentum this weekend with QFs in both grades scheduled.
In hurling Kilshannig and Ballinascarthy meet in Coachford on Saturday at 2.30pm while in Riverstown on Sunday at 2pm, it’s Whitechurch v Cobh who for the 1st time in 40 years were crowned East Cork champions.
There are two quarter-finals also in football. Carrig Na bFhear who bridged a 50 year gap by winning only their second East Cork title head to Newcestown on Saturday for a 2.30pm meeting with Kilmacabea. On Sunday Nemo Rangers 3rd team which is some achievement play Castlemagner in Mourneabbey at 2pm.
Munster Ladies Football
Mallow is the venue over the weekend for the AIB Club Finals and 2 Cork clubs will be in action.
On Saturday in Senior B, it’s Glanmire who will play the Clare champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane at 1pm. This will conclude this championship as there is no All-Ireland series.
On Sunday there is an All-Ireland semi-final spot up for grabs in the Intermediate Championship when Naomh Abán meet the Kerry champions Clounmacon Moyvane at 1pm.
Final word on last Sunday
The 2 county football finals last Sunday really showed the impact of the new rules and the difference they have made to the game as a spectacle and I am sure to play in.
John Fintan Daly’s cherished ambition to lead Knocknagree to the top tier of Cork football was realised with an excellent win over a Cill Na Martra side who battled to the end. They will relish playing in Premier Senior and as they are now also a Division 1 league team, they will be well prepared for whatever the draw throws at them.
The ‘Barrs and Nemo once again showed why they are among the top clubs in Cork football with a cracking final.
Yes it had its errors and misses that on another day would have been converted but that should not take from what was an enthralling encounter that were it not for the width of a post, could have gone to another day. Would there have been any complaints were they to do it all again?
So they finally end the Nemo hoodoo that has haunted them in county finals and the Trabeg side’s wait for another title extends to a 4th year, beware the wounded animal in 2026.
The last time the ‘Barrs were county champions they added the Munster title as well, who is to say that won’t happen again?