Naomh Abán can use final setbacks to push on and deliver intermediate glory
The Dohenys panel that will compete in the 2025 Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA junior A championship and start their campaign at home to Donoughmore.
The 2025 Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA Intermediate and Junior A championships are only two weeks away with a host of clubs eager to make their mark.
Naomh Abán will start their latest attempt to join the Cork LGFA senior ranks away to Abhainn Dalla.
The Ballyvourney club has reached the last two intermediate deciders only to come up short to Glanmire (2023) and O’Donovan Rossa (2024).
In terms of form, Noel McDonagh’s side finished joint-top of this season’s Cork Credit Unions Division 1 Group 1 county league alongside Kinsale only to come up short to eventual winners Aghada in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere in the intermediate grade, a young Rosscarbery will be eager to build on a productive year that ended with a county semi-final loss to Naomh Abán.
The West Cork club will need to be at their best to overcome last year’s junior A champions Midleton in what should be a terrific opening round tussle. Ava McAuliffe will lead Midleton’s attack having enjoyed a stellar run for the Cork minors this summer.
Valley Rovers and Fermoy’s opening day clash offers two clubs with an outside chance of reaching the knockout stages the opportunity to get their campaigns off to a winning start.
There is plenty to look forward to in this year’s junior A grade. Dohenys finished runners-up to Midleton last year and will hope there is enough quality within their panel to go one better. A home tie against Donoughmore, who are looking to rebuild after being relegated from the intermediate grade, offers Dohenys an early test.
Ava O’Donovan, Michelle Duggan, Eirinn O’Donovan and Mairead Crowley will be hoping to guide the Dunmanway club to another county final appearance.
Erin’s Own rounded off a fantastic 2024 by qualifying from their group before overcoming Tadhg MacCarthaigh and Nemo Rangers to capture the junior B county title.
A difficult trip to Rockbán will test the East Cork club’s junior A credentials on the opening weekend.
Carrigaline proved too strong for the West Cork club, deservedly winning 3-8 to 2-9, but the Blues appear primed for another tilt at the junior A trophy.
Midleton ended Bantry’s hopes in the penultimate round last year but in Eve Murphy, Rachel Murphy, Sarah Bishop and Laura Dempsey, Bantry possess consistent scorers capable of guiding their team to the knockout stages.
An opening home tie against a Douglas side that also reached last year’s junior A county semi-finals should produce a cracking contest at Wolf Tone Park. Last year’s corresponding championship fixture saw the Blues clinch a high-scoring 5-7 to 3-9 win.
Round 1 Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA IFC: Abhainn Dalla v Naomh Abán, Midleton v Rosscarbery, Valley Rovers v Fermoy.
Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA JAFC: Bantry Blues v Douglas, Dohenys v Donoughmore, Rockbán v Erin’s Own.
Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA JBFC: Bishopstown v Watergrasshill, Ibane Ladies v Ballinora (both Group 1), Carrigaline v Araglen Desmonds Buí, Tadhg MacCarthaigh v Nemo Rangers (both Group 2).
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