Premier JFC: Canovee and Kilmurry set up all-Muskerry decider after semi-final wins

It will be two clubs from the same parish that will contest the 2024 McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC final.

Muskerry sides and the fiercest of rivals, Canovee and Kilmurry, will lock horns in what is the dream decider for many in what should draw a bumper crowd to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Friday week with an 8pm start.

Canovee were favourites to get past Kinsale and they did so by the skin of their teeth, 1-10 to 1-9, in an entertaining semi-final encounter last evening in Ballyanly. When star forward Jack Kelleher netted a goal for John O’Brien’s side to push them four points clear with seven minutes remaining, Canovee would have been expected to see the game out without too much fuss. They were hanging on towards the end and that was after having a shaky start, trailing 1-1 to 0-0 after 14 minutes.

The eventual winners stood strong in added time to deny Kinsale a leveller with some excellent defending from the likes of Blake Ring, William Ahern and Ryan Delaney. After winning the County JAFC title in 2023, back-to-back county crowns is still on track for the Carrigadrohid-based outfit, something their final opponents Kilmurry weren’t able to do last year.

After finally escaping the Junior A grade in 2022, Kilmurry were so close to winning the Premier JFC in the last campaign, but a late Cian Madden goal broke Kilmurry’s hearts as St Finbarr’s second team defeated them in the final by a point.

Cormac Linehan’s side have responded well from that heartbreak, underlined by their 2-9 to 0-11 victory over a fancied Buttevant side in Grenagh last evening. Green flags from Brian Hinchion and Kyle Kelleher proved crucial. As ever, Liam Wall was an influential figure. He did score 0-4, two frees, but it was his work rate and unseen work that was so impressive.

After scoring 12 goals in their three group games, Buttevant didn’t manage a single shot on Jason McDonnell’s goal with William Ronan, Lloyd Aisling and Tomás Collins standing out in defence.

After taking 10 years to reach a county final in 2022, this will be Kilmurry’s third consecutive one and Canovee’s second on the trot.

The rivals met just four weeks ago in their last Group 1 game at a packed Castle Grounds in Macroom. Kilmurry were already through while Canovee still needed a positive result and that’s what they did, winning 2-8 to 0-9.

To just underline how special and fierce this particular rivalry is, drive through Cloughduv in the week leading up to the final and you will see a mixture of Canovee and Kilmurry flags out.

It will be a match not to miss on Friday week.