Permutations for Cork premier junior and intermediate A football grades

With just one qualification spot definitely nailed down, there is much to play for as the group stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC concludes on Friday night (all games 7.30pm).

Kilmurry have booked their knockout spot from Group 1 after wins over Cobh and St James’, though the Mid-Cork side have yet to guarantee themselves first place.

They take on Canovee in what could be a cracking derby tie in Macroom on Friday, a game where the winners will finish top. If Kilmurry – beaten finalists last year – were to make it three wins from three, then Cobh could have a chance to take second place ahead of Canovee.

The East Cork side drew with last year’s JAFC winners four weeks ago, meaning that if they were to beat the already eliminated St James’ in Ovens and finish level on points with the Carrigadrohid club, scoring difference would determine the placings. Currently, Canovee are on +6 with Cobh on -1.

In Group 2, Kinsale lead the way with four points while Cullen and Glenville have two each and Ballydesmond have yet to register.

Despite the good start, Kinsale could theoretically miss out if they were to lose to Glenvill in Páirc Uí Rinn, with Cullen overcoming Ballydesmond in Glantane. Such a scenario would leave a three-way tie on four points, necessitating scoring difference as a tie-breaker.

While Kinsale have maximum points, their scoring difference is +3 but Glenville’s is +5, meaning any defeat would have the Imokilly side ahead – Cullen are on -1 and a victory of three points or more would suffice.

On the other hand, if Kinsale were to win then Ballydesmond could squeeze into a tie for second if they win. However, with their scoring aggregate currently at -7, they would need to beat Cullen by four points and hope that Glenville suffer a substantial defeat to Kinsale.

Like Kinsale, Buttevant have two wins but are not yet mathematically certain of progress – however, a scoring difference of +35 means that it would take a catastrophic turn of events for them to miss out.

They face Urhan in Ballincollig and the Beara side have two points, along with St Nick’s, who meet Millstreet in Mourneabbey. Urhan have a scoring difference of -2, with the city side having -18 with Millstreet, who must win to have any hope, on -15.

The six remaining games in the IAFC take place at 4.30pm on Saturday. Gabriel Rangers in Group 1 and Boherbue in Group 3 are already through and both are in action against the teams in second place.

A draw will do Gabriels against fellow West Cork side Adrigole in Kealkill, but Adrigole would top the section with a win. If Gabriels were to win, then Kildorrery – two points behind Adrigole – would come second if they beat Dromtariffe in Churchtown and effected a seven-point swing in scoring difference.

It’s a similar situation as Boherbue take on Glanmire in Mourneabbey – the Duhallow side are on four points with their Imokilly opponents on three.

Glanmire’s scoring difference is +16 while that of St Finbarr’s, on one point in third, is -1. A loss for Glanmire and a win for the Barrs against Na Piarsaigh in Mayfield would call scoring difference into play but two big wins would be needed in order for the Togher side to progress.

In Group 2, Glanworth have a 100 percent record after two games as they clash with neighbours Mitchelstown in Araglen. However, Mitchelstown on two points have a scoring difference of +5 with Glanworth on +6, so any Town win would put them through if Ballinora were to beat St Vincent’s a force a three-way tie on four points.

Should Glanworth win, then Vincent’s would need to triumph by at least four points in Ovens in order to have a chance of taking second place on scoring difference.