Kilbrittain v Barryroe: West Cork hurling rivals prepare to go to war again

Another chapter in the Kilbrittain and Barryroe hurling annals will be written in this evening’s Co-Op Superstores Premier JHC local derby.

The West Cork rivals meet for the fourth time in as many years since the Premier JHC grade’s introduction back in 2022.

Kilbrittain and Barryroe’s inaugural county championship group clash saw the former emerge 3-15 to 2-11 winners and go all the way to the semi-finals before falling to Tracton.

Barryroe turned the tables a year later, winning 1-14 to 2-9 and mimicking their Carbery opponents by exiting the county championship in the penultimate round.

Last August, at the same Ahamilla venue the West Cork clubs will meet later this evening, the sides couldn’t be separated following a pulsating 0-17 to 0-17 draw.

So, what will match number four deliver between two proud West Cork hurling enclaves that must be sick of the sight of each other?

"There is definitely a kind of here we go again feeling to meeting Barryroe," admitted Kilbrittain manager Joe Ryan.

"You just have to get on with it, you have to deal with whatever the draw gives you. Whichever way you look at it, Kilbrittain and Barryroe know each other very well from facing one other over the last number of years.

"Championship is a different animal and local derbies are different. 

With the best will in the world, you can prepare as best as you can, but it is like that old Mike Tyson quote of having a plan until you get punched in the mouth! 

"Derbies take on a life of their own. This game with Barryroe should be another classic, in Clonakilty again and with a good crowd, hopefully."

Aside from another meeting with their divisional rivals, Kilbrittain have been handed a tough group draw. They must face a Cloughduv side anxious to bounce back from last year’s Cork Intermediate AHC relegation.

Add to that, a Nemo Rangers team that the West Cork club drew 1-14 to 0-17 with in 2024’s group stages. That outcome was enough for the Capwell club to reach the knockout stages and deny Kilbrittain a place in the county quarter-finals.

Understandably, Joe Ryan outlines why gaining momentum will be paramount to Kilbrittain’s hopes of returning to the knockout stages for the third time in four years.

Momentum is massive isn’t it? It goes hand in hand with winning your first game.

"It is vital for both teams. We saw that last year and the importance of your scoring difference too. Drawing with Barryroe, even though we were disappointed, stood to both teams because it increased our chances of being safe from relegation.

"It is all about staying alive at this grade. Once you are still in the game with 20 minutes to go, it is trying to use your momentum to carry you through because the fixtures come thick and fast."

FRIDAY, August 1:

Co-Op Superstores Premier JHC Group 2: Barryroe vs Kilbrittain in Ahamilla, Clonakilty, 7.30pm.