Cork GAA: Guide to the 2025 Premier SFC and SAFC draws

There are some cracking ties to look forward to in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC after the 2025 club draws were made at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Tuesday night.

Castlehaven will defend the Andy Scannell Cup once again next year after they retained the championship following victory over Nemo Rangers in the final for the second year on the bounce back in October.

The Haven will be the favourites to make it three-in-a-row next year, something they have never done in their history.

In advance of the draws, which are always anticipated, the Cork County Board made a big effort to reduce repeat pairings as they simplified it to six A seeds and six B seeds in each group.

All the groups for the next campaign look wide open with no real group of death as had been the case previously. 

Starting with Group 1 and a West Cork derby for Seanie Cahalane’s Castlehaven where they will come up against a Newcestown side who are very rarely beaten easily. Also in this group are Mallow, who made the semi-finals this year for the first time since 2004. Valley Rovers make up the group. 

St Finbarr's and Clonakilty will renew their rivalry in 2025 as they have been drawn together in Group 2. Since the turn of the 21st century, the sides have clashed in the 2009 and 2021 finals in the top grade of Cork football with one win apiece. Clonakilty will still have regrets with the final loss three years ago. Joining them in the group are Carbery Rangers, who will once again come up against Clon while this year’s SAFC winners Carrigaline make up that particular group.

Finally from the Premier SFC, Nemo Rangers will be determined to lift the Andy Scannell trophy next year after losing the last two finals to Castlehaven. They will come up against familiar opponents Ballincollig as well as city rivals Douglas and St Michael’s in Group 3.

It will be interesting how Douglas fair with Cork's 2010 All-Ireland football winner Paudie Kissane coaching the team next year after white smoke on that front in the last 24 hours. This paper had reported yesterday that an agreement was close.

Moving down to the SAFC, which has always been very competitive. The last two winners have been Newcestown and Carrigaline, with both bouncing back up to the top grade at the first time of asking. Can Éire Óg do the same in 2025 after they lost their Premier Senior status back in October?

The Ovens-based club were one of the first teams drawn out. They will be in Group 1 with Kanturk, 2024 PIFC winners Kilshannig and Newmarket. It will be fascinating how Denis Reen’s Kilshannig get on in the second tier. Recent PIFC winners have done quite well at this level.

Knocknagree will go again next year in their attempts to reach the top grade of Cork football for the first time. They have lost the finals in the SAFC in 2022 and 2024. The Duhallow side are in Group 2 with Cill na Martra, Clyda Rovers and Fermoy.

Knocknagree will be fancied to advance to the knockout stages along with Cill na Martra though Clyda Rovers and Fermoy will certainly try and upset the odds. Clyda dearly missed their star man Conor Corbett in the championship this year. A fully fit Corbett would certainly change the dynamic though he can’t be expected to go alone.

Finally from Group 3, Bishopstown made great strides this season under the stewardship of Mark Driscoll. They lost narrowly to eventual winners Carrigaline in the quarter-final and with a young team, the Town will be looking to build on the progress in 2025. They will be up against Dohenys, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and O’Donovan Rossa in what is an interesting group.

Dohenys will be still licking their wounds after the 11-point semi-final defeat against Knocknagree, but they have the talent to make the latter stages again next year. They also lost the final in 2023 to Newcestown so they have been knocking on the door. 

Both Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh and O’Donovan Rossa are under new managers in Liam Shorten and Gene Hourihane respectively. Both sides were unable to qualify out of their respective groups this year.

Dates, times and venues will be finalised in due course for all of the various grades in the Cork County Championship.

PREMIER SENIOR:

Group 1: Castlehaven, Mallow, Newcestown, Valley Rovers.

Group 2: St Finbarr’s, Clonakilty, Carbery Rangers, Carrigaline.

Group 3: Nemo Rangers, Ballincollig, Douglas, St Michael’s.

SENIOR A:

Group 1: Éire Óg, Kanturk, Kilshannig, Newmarket.

Group 2: Knocknagree, Cill na Martra, Clyda Rovers, Fermoy.

Group 3: Bishopstown, Dohenys, Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, O'Donovan Rossa.