Midleton ladies footballers ready for intermediate ranks after league final victory

Cork LGFA junior A county champions Midleton are gearing up for life in the intermediate ranks.

Midleton saw off Dohenys to claim the JAFC county trophy in Cloughduv last year. It was no fluke as the East Cork club has been building steadily over the past couple of seasons.

Now, amongst the intermediate ranks, Midleton’s upcoming county championships preparations have received a welcome boost. 

Six wins out of seven in 2025's Cork Credit Unions Division 3 county league qualified Midleton for a league final against the only team to defeat them, Bishopstown.

A narrow 1-12 to 3-5 victory over the visiting East Cork side earned Bishopstown one of their seven Division 3 league wins at the end of March. The latter were expected to round off an unblemished campaign, having finished top of the standings, when the two sides met in the recent league decider. 

Yet, it was Midleton who turned the tables.

A 1-14 to 0-9 Division 3 final victory over their rivals, Bishopstown, was an important milestone for Paddy Corcoran’s side.

"We lost last year’s Division 3 final to Bantry so for us, as a club, we needed to drive on and win the league this year," the Midleton LGFA manager commented.

We asked the county board to go up to Division 2 at the start of last year but there was no space. So, there was little choice but to go out and win it this year which we did.

"This is actually the first ever county league trophy Midleton LGFA has won so it was huge for us. This year, our primary goals were to win the league and compete in the intermediate championship."

CROWDED

As with the Cork LGFA senior and junior A grades, the intermediate competition is just as crowded when it comes to potential winners. 

Not that they need reminding, but there will be no easy games for Midleton against Naomh Abán, Abhainn Dalla, Rosscarbery, Valley Rovers, Fermoy or Inch Rovers.

Yet, Paddy Corcoran believes his panel is strong enough to hold their own and maybe spring a surprise result or two.

"We will be able to compete and remember, the teams we are going to be playing haven’t played us before," Corcoran pointed out.

"Our goal is to be competitive. Those other intermediate teams are all good teams. You couldn’t call a county champion right now. 

"Inch Rovers are very good, Fermoy, Rosscarbery, all the teams are strong at this level. Naomh Abán are very strong too and unlucky not to win one of the last two finals they have been in.

"Look, we will be up against it, but we will be difficult to beat." 

Ladies football is on something of a high in Midleton right now. 

"The adult team’s junior county and Division 3 league titles are as a result of years of dedicated work at underage level. There is more to come.

What has really helped us is Midleton moving to the One Club model.

"Offering family membership has really boosted our underage numbers and there are lots of talented players coming through. 

"We have great coaches and our Cúl Camps are very busy which is another good sign. The Midleton club is in a good place and we will have fantastic new facilities in the next couple of years which will also help."