Cork GAA: Junior B race is wide open in hurling and football

Teams at junior B level in Cork are unique in that each year there are two avenues to county glory.

Early in the season, the ‘confined’ championships take place, open to clubs that do not operate at a higher level. Up to 2010, the county championships were, like junior A, based on the divisional competitions but, often, county qualifiers had to take place when the regional winners were a second, third or, occasionally, fourth team.

Since then, the championships have run on a county-wide basis with a back door and have proven to be a success. However, in 2015, the county championship for divisional winners was reintroduced, regardless of the status of the club. It has opened up the potential for clubs to do the double in each code, with Belgooly achieving that in hurling in 2021.

There won’t be any such doubles in 2023, though, in part because another double has already been achieved – St Oliver Plunkett’s won the JBHC and JBFC on consecutive weeks during the summer but, such is competitive nature of the Carbery championships that they were unable to add divisional glory in the autumn.

On the hurling front, it was Bantry Blues who came out on top in the west, with Jack Sheedy scoring 14 points as they overcame Ballinascarthy’s second string in the final. While there was disappointment for Bantry in last Sunday’s Premier IFC final against Cill na Martra, those involved in the hurling will have a chance to bounce back as they face another Muskerry side that play in white and blue, with Inniscarra’s third team having won the Mid-Cork championship. 

They needed extra time to see off Aghabullogue in the replayed final but 1-10 from Joe Enright proved crucial in the end.

Those two clash on Saturday at 3pm while Sunday is the day for the other two quarter-finals – Beara don’t enter, so there is a seven-team county championship, with Avondhu’s representatives Doneraile availing of this year’s quarter-final bye.

Valley Rovers’ second team were beaten in the Carrigdhoun JAHC final by Belgooly – who have shown what a springboard junior B success can be – but the Innishannon club’s thirds did enjoy junior B divisional glory, beating Tracton last weekend.

Eric Duarte was the man of the match for a Valleys side that was able to call on the experience of Willie Burke, Noel O’Donovan and Chris O’Donovan. There is a quick turnaround time for them as they must face into a county clash with Killeagh on Sunday.

In the other quarter-final, Douglas face Newmarket in Mourneabbey. Douglas got the better of Mayfield in last weekend’s city final, 3-18 to 0-16 the final score with Luis Fogarty putting on an exhibition of hurling. Newmarket overcame Dromtarriffe last Thursday night at Banteer, just a few days after their junior A side had beaten the same opposition in the junior A decider.

In football, Goleen took the Carbery title after a pulsating final, denying Oliver Plunkett’s the chance to go for the double – avenging their semi-final defeat in the ‘confined’ championship. Their reward is to face Dungourney this Saturday at 3pm in Kilmurry. Victory over Glanmire in a low-scoring final gave Dungourney the East Cork title.

Garnish earned the Beara junior B honours with a win over Adrigole in the final and they will now do battle with Lismire, who retained the Duhallow crown as they beat Dromtarriffe.

In another quarter-final, Douglas – after doing the city double – await the Carrigdhoun champions, with that competition still at semi-final stage, Ballygarvan opposing Tracton while Valley Rovers are due to meet Belgooly.

Also outstanding is the clash between the winners of Avondhu and Muskerry. Kildorrery were meant to meet Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels in the North Cork final last weekend but it was postponed due to the bad weather while Ballinora and Inniscarra lock horns in the Mid Cork decider next Tuesday night. The unusual staging for the game is due to the fact that Ballinora’s hurlers meet Clonakilty in the county junior A championship on Sunday.