Premier JFC final: Canovee and Kilmurry clash in the most local of derbies 

For the second time in six weeks, Canovee and Kilmurry come together in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC, but this one has everything on the line with a big prize for the winners.

The two clubs from the same parish in Muskerry met in the last group game last month when Canovee won 2-8 to 0-9, as they secured their passage into the business end. Kilmurry were already through before that one in Macroom.

Tonight in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (8pm), the sides lock horns in the final with a place in the Intermediate A grade for 2025 on the line. Canovee are going for back-to-back counties after winning the County JAFC title in 2023, while Kilmurry hope to atone for last year’s heartbreaking one-point loss to St Finbarr’s second team in the decider.

“Since Canovee won the county last year, the aim was to see if they could reach the final against Kilmurry,” says Muskerry GAA chairman John Feeney.

“It’s a local derby and they normally take a life of their own. Without sitting on the fence, I do think it’s a 50/50 game. Traditionally, Canovee do better against Kilmurry, but the last few years Kilmurry have taken over. This year's win over Kilmurry was a big boost for Canovee.

“The final will be decided by something small. It will be a great night for the parish and for the Muskerry division. It’s a unique rivalry in the sense that both clubs are in the same parish. It’s a great rivalry. Kilmurry parish has Kilmurry and Canovee as football clubs and Cloughduv as the hurling club. The one fabulous thing when you look at this parish, you can just count the number of pitches that each of the three have. It’s great from that point of view. The rivalry has always been there and will always be there.” 

Feeney has been to countless matches down through the years including Kilmurry v Canovee battles but there is one in particular that stands out for the Dripsey club man.

“After Canovee won the All-Ireland Junior title in 2008, their second team went into the Muskerry Junior A football championship and they played Kilmurry’s first team in the championship. They actually defeated a strong Kilmurry side. It was a huge boost for Canovee. That game always sticks out for me and it just showed you can never predict the outcome when these two clubs play each other.

“It should be a great final. We are all looking forward to it in Muskerry. It’s anyone’s game. It will turn on something small.”