Cork Intermediate A and Premier Junior previews: Kilmurry and Ilen Rovers headline crucial round of games 

It wasn’t that long ago when Kilmurry and Ilen Rovers were poles apart in the football pyramid on Leeside, but this weekend they meet on an even keel.

Both come into their second game in Group 3 in the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC on Saturday in Rossmore at 6.30pm high in confidence.

Last year’s Premier JFC winners Kilmurry hammered St Vincent’s four weeks ago, 4-17 to 0-12, while Ilen Rovers, after two successive championship relegations, recorded an eye-catching 1-12 to 0-12 victory over last year’s beaten finalists Boherbue.

This has all the makings of a belter with Kilmurry looking to the likes of Dinny O’Mullane, Seán O’Leary and Ruadhán Ó Curraoin to get the scores.

Adrian O’Driscoll kicked 1-5 for Ilen Rovers last time out, he will be the go to man again.

The stakes are naturally high for Boherbue and St Vincent’s in the other game in the group. Both know a win is paramount to keep a top two finish alive. Kilmurry is the venue on Sunday at 2pm.

Boherbue are one of the fancied teams at this grade having reached the decider last year. They need to start firing and with David O’Connor, Gerry O’Sullivan and Liam Moynihan, they should have enough firepower to get up and running.

St Vincent’s only avoided demotion last year after a relegation play-off win over Na Piarsaigh. Blake Murphy is the leading marksman and he has done a lot of the heavy lifting in recent seasons. That needs to change.

In Group 1, Adrigole will be expected to make it two wins from two and put themselves in the driving seat to finish top. After beating Glanworth 2-15 to 0-6 last month, the Beara men should get a stiffer challenge off St Finbarr’s second team on Saturday in Skibbereen (4.30pm). Ben O’Sullivan will be looking to continue his good form after scoring 2-3 against Glanworth.

The Barrs performed valiantly in the eight-point loss to Ballinora. With their first team not in action until Sunday, it means they will have more or less the same panel as the last day in their efforts to cause an upset.

Ballinora will be tipped to have too much for Glanworth on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn with throw-in at 2pm. Cork senior footballer Neil Lordan anchors the Ballinora defence. Mark O’Brien, Kevin Werner and Michael Quirke all know where the goal posts are.

Darragh O’Brien will lead Glanworth’s charge as they target an improved display from the one they produced against Adrigole.

In Group 2, Kildorrery and Gabriel Rangers, both winners in the opening round, lock horns on Saturday in Belgooly (4.30pm). Kildorrery eked out a 0-14 to 0-12 win over Dromtarriffe a month ago thanks to two two-pointers from James Keating.

Gabriel Rangers had a 0-19 to 0-16 triumph over Mitchelstown with nine different scorers. 

The pressure is on Mitchelstown, nearly men of recent years at this level, as they meet Dromtarriffe on Sunday in Glantane at 2pm.

It’s a crucial one for both given they have no points. 

Cork senior footballer Cathail O’Mahony missed the opening round for the Town due to a hamstring injury. 

It remains to be seen if he has returned in time for this one.

Moving down to the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC. The opening weekend was exciting, so what will happen in Round 2?

In Group 1, championship favourites Canovee will be tested when they meet St Nick’s on Sunday in Ballyanly (2pm). Canovee beat Urhan first day out while St Nick’s drew with Ballydesmond.

St Nick’s won the regular league meeting earlier in the year against Canovee as both won promotion from Division 6. Canovee then won the league final meeting, 5-9 to 1-6.

LEADER

Ballydesmond will be led on by Donncha O’Connor against Urhan in Cill na Martra on Saturday from 6.30pm. The Cork 2010 All-Ireland winner landed 17 points against St Nick’s.

In Group 2, after recording their first championship win since 2021 four weeks ago against Kinsale, Na Piarsaigh will look to build on it this weekend.

The northsiders take on Cobh on Sunday in Caherlag (2pm) with Cobh desperate to respond after a disappointing 2-18 to 0-13 loss to Cullen.

The latter will be spearheaded by Cork senior player Luke Murphy when they take on Kinsale on Saturday in Ballyvourney with throw-in at 6.30pm.

Another loss and it could be curtains for the year for Kinsale.

Finally, in Group 3, Joey Hanlon’s Buttevant will be looking to make it successive victories when they clash with Millstreet on Saturday in Mallow with a start time of 7pm.

The Avondhu outfit finished strong to dispatch Glenville last time out, 2-17 to 1-12, while goals proved costly in Millstreet’s 2-12 to 0-12 defeat to Inniscarra.

Last year’s County JAFC winners Scarra will back themselves to record another victory that could secure qualification. They go into battle with Glenville on Saturday in Carrignavar (4.30pm).