Cork JBHC final: Uibh Laoire enjoying dual benefits

Recent years have been plentiful for Uibh Laoire on the footballing side.

County JAFC winners for 2020 – a final played in the summer of 2021 – they carried that momentum straight into the new season at IAFC level and won a second county title in just over three months.

The two years at premier intermediate level have yielded semi-final and quarter-final appearances while last weekend saw them impressively defeat Naomh Abán in the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League Division 3 final at Macroom.

On Saturday, the focus turns to hurling as the Inchigeela club face Buttevant in the Co-op SuperStores Cork JBHC final at Páirc Uí Rinn (5pm) and manager John Murphy feels that the success in each code has been mutually beneficial.

“Over the last while, most of our lads have been playing dual,” he says.

“Obviously, we are traditionally a football club but, to be fair, the football side of things have really worked with us.

“Both management teams have developed a good relationship over the last few years and there’s leeway given on both sides.

“Last week, we were giving a lot to the footballers to allow them to prepare for their final and this week now it’s all hurling.

“There’s a good balance on the management side but there’s a lot of go for the players themselves – in saying that, it’s a kind of a good go. They’re winning so there’s momentum being created and a good attitude.”

While football has always been the primary focus for Uibh Laoire, there is a grá for hurling, too.

“The last time that we won this competition was back in 1986,” Murphy says.

“A few years ago, in around 2016, they won the Mid-Cork junior B and were up junior A for quite a few years.

“That was going well but junior B up to junior A was a big step up for us. There are some fine hurlers in the club but the priority was always given to football and that’s fair enough, too – we’ve jumped up through the ranks over the last few years.

“It was decided a couple of years ago that we’d go back down junior B in hurling and we’re enjoying it a lot more.

“The lads are enjoying it, they’re winning more games and I suppose it’s developing hurling in Inchigeela – you see it when we’re below in training, young lads are working away, hitting a ball against the wall, training themselves.”

Deciding to re-grade has proven to be a positive move, Murphy feesl.

“Last year was the first year,” he says, “and we made it to the semi-final against Oliver Plunkett’s, back in Dunmanway.

“They won that and then went on to win the county final fairly comfortably.

“You look at nearly all of the teams in this competition and, in reality, there’s not that much between any of them. Buttevant are probably the stand-out team – they came down from junior A in North Cork and they’re a strong, solid side.

“At the end of the day, it’s a one-off game and we’re relishing the challenge.”

They have been in fine form this year. After a draw with Lough Rovers in their first group game, victory over Crosshaven gave them top spot in the group and an automatic semi-final spot, where O’Donovan Rossa were seen off.

Topping the group was a huge help.

“We had to beat Crosshaven by more than five points and we did that – Crosshaven were down a few lads, which made a big difference for them,” Murphy says.

“Lough Rovers ended up playing Buttevant in the quarter-final and they gave them a really good run, it was just that Buttevant picked off a few goals, which sealed it for them.

“There’s nothing huge between any of the teams.”

Murphy accepts that Uibh Laoire will be underdogs in the final, but – drawing on the football success again – the fact that so many players have big-game experience will be a boost.

“It’s a massive benefit,” he says.

“We were looking at it during the week – maybe 90 percent of the panel, so 22, 23 guys, have already played in Páirc Uí Rinn and Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

“They’re not overawed at all and they’re looking forward to playing in a nice, open ground. We’ve some good, quick players – and so do Buttevant – so it should be a nice, free-flowing open game.”