PIFC: Kilshannig and Aghabullogue set for another thriller 

The McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC final replay is down for decision on Sunday as Kilshannig and Aghabullogue meet again at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh with throw-in at 3.30pm.

The sides drew 1-14 apiece last Saturday in what was the best game of football in the Cork championship in a few years. If the replay is anything similar, we will be in for a real treat.

Football has come in for criticism and rightly so for the way it has been played but last weekend's match was an example of how exciting and fun it really is when the game is played the right way. It was an old school match between two teams who just went at it.

It was also refreshing to see a final being played in such an attack minded way. Deciders are largely cagey, and while we were expecting an open game between Kilshannig and Aghabullogue, we didn’t expect it to be so full throttle.

Will Sunday be the same? You would imagine so. Two well coached teams both under the tutelage of Kerry men in their first seasons with their respective clubs, Rathmore’s Denis Reen is at the helm of Kilshannig and Cahersiveen’s Ray Keane is guiding Aghabullogue.

Both have a young and fearless team and while Kilshannig might have the advantage when it comes to height and physicality, the pace and precision of Aghabullogue is just sublime, something that doesn’t happen overnight.

While Kilshannig will be somewhat relieved that they are still alive considering they were down two points going into added time before Darragh O’Sullivan landed two frees, they will feel there’s more in them. The Avondhu outfit did have more possession last weekend and created more chances and if they are more clinical in front of goal in the replay, they will think they have a serious chance of being a Senior A club in 2025.

Darragh O’Sullivan was excellent as he finished up 0-6 (0-3 f), but the team in blue and yellow also had impressive performances in the forward department from the likes of Cork footballer Killian O’Hanlon, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, who came off the bench and landed two points, and Éanna O’Hanlon.

In defence, captain Colm O’Shea led by example at number 6, with Eoghan Burke and Shane O’Connell also standing out.

For Aghabullogue, they probably had mixed emotions leaving the Páirc last Saturday night, but the most important thing from their point of view is that they are still in with a chance of winning the championship. They did look on course to win back-to-back counties and reach the senior ranks for the first time having led by six points after 37 minutes and then up two points going into added time, but they could have also lost it very easily. They will take the positives in what was a brilliant performance by them.

Captain John Corkery seems to be getting better every year, an outstanding individual on and off the pitch. He kicked 1-3, all from play, last weekend. Luke Casey and Aaron O’Sullivan both landed 0-3 each. Matthew Bradley put his usual shift in, playing a part in many scores while also raising two white flags.

Paul Dilworth, Tom Long and Adam Murphy shored up a well-structured Aghabullogue defence while midfielder Colm Gillespie gave his side an out ball.

It’s a very hard one to call and it wouldn’t be a surprise if this one on Sunday goes the distance again. Kilshannig will be marginal favourites, but Aghabullogue would have taken a huge amount of belief and confidence from the drawn game.