Buttevant are more than capable of making a big impression in the Premier JFC

THE inaugural Premier JFC was a resounding success last year, with a surprise team emerging from the pack to claim the title, so what will happen in 2024?

While St Finbarr’s second team have a lot of really good footballers and have no shortage of numbers, it was still a surprise to see them as the last ones standing last season, especially after a dramatic final win over a fancied Kilmurry side, who were favourites for the county from the outset.

And the Muskerry side are still high up on the list of contenders for this year's championship, but their near neighbours and rivals Canovee are now in this grade, and they will surely have a big say in the destination of the title.

The fact those two are in the same group along with St James’ and Cobh, means there will be a big opportunity for the two teams that qualify for the knockout stages, with a couple of big hitters departing the championship at the group stage.

Another team who arguably haven’t got the same attention as other teams over the last few years is Buttevant, who will no doubt be in the shake up for the Premier JFC title come the end of the season this year.

Divisional winners in the JAFC in 2022 meant promotion to the new premier junior football grade for 2023 and that’s what Buttevant achieved in Avondhu. They were unlucky to lose the county semi-final to Cobh, 2-7 to 0-9.

The North Cork club continued their upward momentum by gaining promotion from the Division 6 of the football league last year, and won the league crown after a statement win over Kilmurry in the final, 3-10 to 1-7. Teenager David Hanlon nabbed 3-3 in the league decider.

Unfortunately for the black and amber it was literally a case of fine margins when the championship group stage came around finishing third below eventual winners St Finbarr’s and Cobh. Buttevant lost both games by an aggregate score of six points, which illustrates the fine margins.

The pain of last season still lingers and the Avondhu outfit have started as you mean to go on by winning the first two games in Division 5 of the McCarthy Insurance Group football league, beating Ballydesmond away on a scoreline of 1-8 to 0-8, before putting Adrigole to the sword at home, 3-7 to 0-9. Their next fixture is away to Na Piarsaigh tomorrow at 7.45pm.

Buttevant are under the guidance of Limerick man Joey Hanlon and their management ticket has been boosted this season by the addition of former Limerick footballer Ian Ryan. Buttevant have a strong spine down the team with Michael Walsh, Seamus Madigan, Conor Hanlon and David Hanlon. Anthony O’Neill and Aaron Trimm are formidable midfield partners.

While all the talk will be on the likes of Kilmurry, Canovee and Cobh, to name a few, Buttevant should have a say in the destination of the Premier JFC crown in 2024. In the group stage, the North Cork side will meet St Nick’s, Millstreet and Urhan.