PIFC: Your guide to the 2024 group stages as Bantry Blues look to deliver

After losing the last two PIFC finals, will it be third time lucky for Bantry Blues?

With the start of another McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC now upon us, will this finally be the year after so many near misses for the West Cork club? While David O'Donovan's side are one of the favourites, the likes of Iveleary, 2023 IAFC winners Aghabullogue and Kilshannig will all hope to have a big say.

Group 1: Aghada, Aghabullogue, Ilen Rovers, Iveleary.

Aghada have held their own at this grade in recent years and qualification from this group this year is a possibility. The Imokilly side play last year’s IAFC winners Aghabullogue on Sunday in Ballincollig at 7.30pm. A win here for either side would set them up nicely for the remaining two group games.

Ilen Rovers lost their senior status last season following defeat to Fermoy in the SAFC relegation play-off. They will look to start on a positive note when they travel to Dunmanway on Sunday to take on a fancied Iveleary side with throw in at 7.30pm.

It wasn’t that long ago when Ilen Rovers were in the top tier while Iveleary were down in the Muskerry JAFC. Both sides have been going in opposite directions for a number of years.

Group 2: Bantry Blues, Nemo Rangers, Naomh Abán, Bandon.

Bantry Blues’ character and confidence would have been tested over the winter as they suffered a second final defeat on the trot in 2023. A tricky looking one to start this group. A trip to Enniskeane on Sunday at 7.30pm for the meeting with Nemo Rangers’ second string who are always dangerous.

Failure to get a win for either team will ramp up the pressure especially given the difficulty of the other two games in the group.

Two teams who have made progress over the past year or so but with more to do lock horns on Sunday in Carrigadrohid at 7.30pm. Naomh Abán and Bandon didn’t make it out of their respective groups last year but performance levels were much better than previous seasons.

One of the best forwards in this grade in Ed Myers is out for the campaign for Naomh Abán after suffering a broken leg in training recently. Potentially a huge blow for the Ballyvourney men.

Group 3: Castletownbere, Kilshannig, Rockchapel, Macroom.

A change of management hasn’t affected things in Castletownbere with Ian Murphy making a big impression as boss having replaced Morgan O’Sullivan in the close season. They gained promotion from the Division 3 league and in Gary Murphy, they have an outstanding forward.

The Beara side meet Kilshannig tomorrow in Castletownkenneigh at 5.30pm. Both sides reached the semi-finals last year. Kilshannig are one of the favourites for the big prize under the tutelage of Denis Reen.

Dromtarriffe is the venue on Sunday at 7.30pm for the meeting of Rockchapel and Aidan O’Mahony’s Macroom. Both sides underperformed last year, failing to make it to the business end of the championship. Macroom had to beat Na Piarsaigh to avoid going through the trapdoor.