Cork football: Best eight performing teams this season
Carrigaline celebrations as Thos Maye lifts the cup after the win in the McCarthy Insurance Group Senior A Football Championship: Carrigaline v Knocknagree in SuperValu Pairc UI Chaoimh, Cork. Pic Larry Cummins
Like with the hurling championships – there were some surprises overall, but few in the two senior grades as last year’s champions retained the Premier Senior Football Championship and the relegated side bounced straight back.
But through the three grades below – there were plenty of teams who exceeded expectations, and more who fell further short.
With pre-season hopes factored in with the eventual championship outcomes, which eight teams across the top five grades had the best seasons in 2024?
Certainly the best team outside of the big three in 2024, Mallow made it to the semi-finals before losing out to Nemo. Their group stage campaign wasn’t perfect by any means, but they did enough to get through and their victory over St Finbarr’s made it possible.
They overcame Muskerry quite convincingly in the quarter-final and while Mallow would have hoped for more from their semi-final performance, it was a step in the right direction.
The Muskerry side were phenomenal after going up from junior A to the PJFC. They topped a tricky group with near neighbours Kilmurry and a strong Cobh side, beating Kilmurry by five points and remaining unbeaten.
That was until the final though – where Kilmurry avenged last season’s defeat to snatch promotion to intermediate A, beating Canovee by a solitary point.
After the disappointment of last year where injuries to key starters put an end to Kilshannig’s PIFC hopes at the semi-final stage, they rectified that in 2024 winning every game until the final, where Aghabullogue held the Avondhu outfit to a draw.
They got over the line in the replay though – and will make the step up to senior A.
In the hugely competitive IAFC, Boherbue managed to go a step further on last year – but couldn’t defeat Glanmire in the decider.
Still, it remains an impressive campaign, and they’re looking stronger with each year. No doubt they’ll be back in the conversation in 2025.
After a setback last year where Carrigaline fell to senior A, the question of bouncing back was a hot topic. Their league form certainly placed it on the bingo cards, and they delivered.
It was a very impressive championship year, as Carrig won each game and securing promotion to the PSFC for 2025.
While the year began with a draw to the Barrs’ second team, Glanmire improved as the season went on.
While certainly a mix of fortune and impressive performances, they had the composure to get through tight games over and over again.
All of their last three wins were by a single point, but that’s a testament to the way they played.
After the fairytale double Aghabullogue achieved last year, competing at premier intermediate in both codes was a just reward. But there wasn’t a whole lot of expectation – between both the players and fans.
Yet in spite of that – the team were outstanding in the PIFC. Not only did they top their group with three wins from three and defeat a favoured Uibh Laoire side, the Muskerry side beat Naomh Abán in the semi-final and forced a replay with Kilshannig in the final.
Unfortunately they couldn’t achieve the back to back, but it remains a remarkable campaign and one that points to a positive 2025.
It’s hard to argue with Castlehaven’s spot at number one, despite going into the season as favourites to retain their crown.
They made it look easy in the group stage, finishing with a scoring difference of 30 points, 15 more than Nemo Rangers achieved in an easier group.
They overcame both St Finbarr’s and Nemo again to claim the title, with not a single game finishing with a winning margin smaller than four. That semi-final win over the Barrs was the closest they came to losing.
A dominant season, no doubt they’ll be aiming for three in-a-row. They’ve certainly got every chance of doing it.
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