Canovee ready as they make step up to new grade 

LAST year simply couldn’t have gone much better for Canovee as they look to kick on again this year in a higher grade.

The Carrigadrohid based side won every single match in 2023, as they claimed the Muskerry Division 1 football league title before going on to win the divisional JAFC. The county crown would arrive in November as the black and amber completed the treble.

Canovee won’t be worried that they will be one of the contenders for the Premier JFC when that comes around later on this year. Their first game as a premier junior club will be this Sunday when they face Argideen Rangers away at 11.30am in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 7 football league.

Manager John O’Brien is looking forward to the step up as they finally left the junior A ranks in 2023 for the first time since they suffered relegation from intermediate football in 2013.

“We are looking forward to moving up to a new grade and playing different opposition,” says O’Brien.

“For the players, that’s the reward on the back of what they achieved last year. The level of commitment the lads showed was incredible. We all put in a huge effort over a number of years and from a mentality point of view, it was really pleasing. We are all excited with what’s in store for us. We are probably a bit behind on other teams in terms of preparation. The last campaign didn’t finish for us until the end of November, it was a long year, as we started training 12 months previous doing strength and conditioning work.

“Fellas needed a break, so we didn’t go back training until the end of February. We are better served by doing that I feel. The lads have come back and they are raring to go. The opposition will be that bit better naturally enough as you move up the grades. For us, we will enjoy the challenges and give it a right crack.” 

As mentioned at the start, it all gets underway this weekend for Canovee, with a tricky looking game against Carbery junior A football side Argideen Rangers in Timoleague on Sunday morning.

“Like every club, you're going to have players away, injuries and so on, so it’s all about having a look at our squad,” says O’Brien.

“There is real competition across the panel, and there are a few young lads who have got the bit between their teeth at the moment and that’s really driving up the levels. You want to go out and give every fella an opportunity to perform. Also, you want to do well in the league, every team will be trying to pick up points and progress as well. You're trying to balance it all, making sure the players are being looked at, but also trying to get results.

“Argideen Rangers on Sunday will be a new test for us. We wouldn’t have played them that much down through the years. We do know bits and pieces about them, but in any year, you don’t really know what clubs are doing or whose coming to the fore until you actually get that opening match under your belt. Division 7 will be very competitive, looking at the teams, it’s great for us, as they will all be quality games and good preparation for the championship.” 

And that’s what it’s ultimately about, Canovee will face St James’, Cobh and Kilmurry in the group stage, and while a lot of eyes will be drawn on that final group match against the team in the same parish, the Canovee boss says they won’t be focusing on that particular one until the time comes.

“From our point of view, we can’t look beyond the first championship game against St James’. The Kilmurry match might be a game of nothing if both ourselves and Kilmurry don’t perform in the first two outings. I know everyone is talking about Canovee v Kilmurry, but for me, all three games are so important. We won’t be taking anything likely. We have to make sure we are really focused on every game we play.

“You hear people talking about Canovee v Kilmurry being a special occasion, you have to worry about the games before it first and making sure we are putting the best foot forward. But, absolutely playing Kilmurry will always be a huge game, but St James’ are first up and we want to go about our business correctly and get the results that’s required.” O’Brien concluded.