New football rules suiting St Oliver Plunkett's under former Clare star

St Oliver Plunkett’s football coach believes his team can push on again this year after the high of 2023.

The West Cork club won the County JBFC in 2023, which resulted in elevation to the higher grade. It was a challenge last year. They were unable to qualify out of their respective group in the Bandon Co-Op Carbery JAFC.

There were mitigating factors, but the hope is that the experience and disappointment will stand to them.

The Ahiohill-based side are once again coached by former Clare footballer Noel Griffin. The latter was involved in the successful 2023 campaign before moving on. He returned this season. He has a county medal with Clonakilty after the Brewery Town won the Cork SFC in 2009.

“Really enjoying being back, St Oliver Plunkett’s are a very committed bunch,” he says.

“The interest and the numbers have been huge this year. We have had over 20 lads togged out in every training session so far. There’s great buy-in. It makes things a lot easier.

“We went back training at the start of January, so the lads have a good base of fitness. We are in May time, but have only played a few league games. We have catching up to do in that regard.

“It has been so far so good anyway. Attitude and interest are huge things and those things were one of the reasons why I returned to the club this year. When I look back on 2023 and what we achieved in winning the Junior B, it was all down to attitude and interest and the football they played too.

“When I got asked to come back again at the start of pre-season, it was an easy decision as I know the group very well and I know the potential that is in this group. There are a few new guys after joining the panel. If the attitude is the same as it has been, I think we will have a very positive year.

“They were unlucky last year, but the 2023 season only finished in February 2024 due to reaching the Munster final, so they had no proper break. To be as competitive as they were, it was a huge achievement."

Something that could favour the team in black and white are the new rules. We have seen already in 2025 that it’s suiting more teams than others both at inter-county level and club level.

“The new rules have been a breath of fresh air,” Griffin said.

“There is a change of style with the new rules, but I feel the biggest change from my point of view is discipline. A simple thing now like questioning the referee can be so costly as the ball will be taken up the field 50 yards.

“It’s an automatic response to complain or whatever. You have to be so disciplined now. The first game we played this year, we had a lot of infringements. Then, we saw in game two and game three, the mistakes nearly disappeared when it came to understanding the new rules.

“There was no backchat to the referee. A lot of the modern players are quick learners anyway, they are reading stuff and listening to podcasts. They are interested in learning.

“The new rules suit positive football and I would encourage that when coaching teams, moving the ball fast and get your head up first time. If you're going to do anything, you have to play positive. What I have seen so far, the lads are getting there, it will take time, but I am hopeful come championship time, we will be in a good spot. For the talent we have, I do believe the new rules will suit us, but we have to show it.” 

St Oliver Plunkett’s aim will be to try and qualify out of their respective group in the Bandon Co-Op Carbery JAFC later this year after narrowly missing out last season. They are in Group 2 with Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas, Ballinascarthy and Tadhg MacCarthaigh.