Premier SFC final: Squad depth key in Castlehaven's bid to retain Andy Scannell 

Rory Maguire believes the depth of the panel has proved crucial in Castlehaven returning to their second consecutive top tier final.

The West Cork side face Nemo Rangers tomorrow in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC decider at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (3.30pm). The Haven are looking to retain the Andy Scannell trophy for the first time since 2013.

“We have had a lot more injuries this year than we usually do,” the Cork footballer says.

“It was all about making sure we had a strong enough panel to get through the games and we have won four from four championship games so far this year so it has been a good learning experience for us.

“A lot of lads have put up their hands this year and improved massively. The likes of Jamie O’Driscoll, Robbie Minihane, Jack O’Neill, Seán Browne, Thomás O’Mahony, those guys weren’t starting a few years ago when we weren’t winning counties. Jamie and Robbie in particular, they only played a few games last year, but have played every game this season. They have been excellent and it’s the likes of them that have maximised the last six months compared to where they were last year. It’s about all of us improving.

“What James McCarthy has done for this club won’t be understated. He has brought a lot of the younger lads that are playing now, through from underage. Seanie [Cahalane] has picked up from where James left off and maybe tweaked a few things, but a lot of the backroom team are the same. The county and Munster successes last year have given the team a lot of belief.” 

Castlehaven did breeze through their group stage, defeating Clonakilty, St Michael’s and Carbery Rangers fairly comfortably before a three-point win over St Finbarr’s two weeks ago in the semi-final. Maguire knows that his side will have to put in their best performance of the season to get over Nemo Rangers in the final for a second season on the trot.

“Our first half display against Clonakilty was probably the best half that we have played in a long time,” the 25-year-old said.

“The second half that day from us wasn't great, and it was a similar situation in the St Michael’s game. We have played well in the first half in all of the games really and it has been a case of seeing out the game then in the second half. It’s hard to know where you're at either when you're not being tested going down the stretch. The Barrs did kick back at us the last day so it was good to know that we were able to see out the match.” 

Castlehaven captain Mark Collins had the honour of accepting and lifting the Andy Scannell trophy 12 months ago. The former Cork player was part of the Haven team that did back-to-back in 2012 and ’13.

“It’s not even about winning back-to-back counties, winning any county is so hard," Collins says.

"You have seen that for the last five or six years. We had been knocking on the door and it was so hard to get over the line 12 months ago for the first time in 10 years. To be in with an opportunity of winning another one in quick succession is brilliant. We know that we will be in for a right battle against Nemo, like last year.

“After beating the Barrs in the semi-final, you can just see the enjoyment it brings to people down here. The buzz and the sense of enjoyment our supporters get out of it is incredible. Hopefully we can keep that going for them. It would mean everything if we could win the county again.”