Muskerry JAFC final preview: Canovee and Inniscarra all set for showdown

THE 2023 Ross Oil Muskerry junior A football championship final takes place this evening as Canovee meet Inniscarra in Ovens at 6pm.

It’s no surprise that these two teams are meeting in the showpiece final, both were tipped to go very deep into the Muskerry championship before a ball was kicked in anger at the start of the season and that’s the way it has transpired.

In Canovee’s case, after Kilmurry’s elevation last season, the Carrigadrohid based side were installed at the outright favourites for the Mid-Cork crown closely followed by the likes of Inniscarra and Aghinagh.

This year marks a decade since Canovee got relegated from the then intermediate grade as they slipped back into the junior A ranks and since then it has been a case of so close yet so far. The team in black and amber have been knocking on the door but as of yet the Mid-Cork title has remained elusive. They are bidding for their first crown since 2007, which turned out to be a remarkable season for the club as they went on to win the county, Munster and All-Ireland titles after they won Muskerry. 

They have justified their favourites tag in 2023 so far, claiming the Division 1 league and winning their three championship group-stage games against Ballincollig’s second string, Dripsey and Kilmichael respectively, which booked a direct route to the semi-final. A tricky looking last four encounter was in prospect against Aghinagh, but John O’Brien’s team managed the game wonderfully, keeping their opposition at arms-length, as they won 0-14 to 0-4. Jack Kelleher, Daire McMahon and James Moynihan spearheads the attack, while in defence Evan Dodd and Odhran O’Driscoll are key players.

Inniscarra will come into the decider in confident mood after their 1-9 to 0-8 success over a strong Éire Óg reserve side in the semi-final two weeks ago. Inniscarra won all their three group-stage matches, beating Grenagh, Donoughmore and Blarney respectively which secured a semi-final spot. The focus in Inniscarra has been on the big ball in recent weeks after their hurlers season ended on a positive note when they beat Mallow in the Co-Op SuperStores SAHC relegation play-off five weeks ago.

The team in blue and white would have been pleased with the four-point success over Éire Óg in the last four especially having fallen at that particular hurdle in 2022 after losing after extra-time to Aghinagh. The Ballyanly based outfit are back in the divisional final for the first time since 2015 when they lost to Iveleary as they aim to win the Muskerry crown for the first time since 1989, which has been their only time claiming the title to date.

Cork senior hurler Seán O’Donoghue is one of many influential players in this team along with Liam Collins and Dylan O’Sullivan. Dominic Kelleher between the sticks is one of the best goalkeepers at this level.

Junior A has been diluted somewhat since the new premier junior grade was introduced, but winning a divisional title is a special feeling and it will mean everything to whichever team comes out on the right side this evening. A huge crowd is expected to make their way to Ovens for this mouthwatering encounter.

Inniscarra will have a right go, but Canovee’s forward line and experience could tip the balance in this one. A tentative vote for the side from Carrigadrohid.