Cork GAA: Ranking the best club football attacks and meanest defences
St Nick's Eoin Downey gets his shot away before Urhan's Micheál Sé closes in during the McCarthy Insurance Group PJFC game in Sam Maguire Park. Picture: Martin Walsh.
Gaelic football’s scoring system has changed, but its impact on the Cork Football Championship’s highest scorers has been minimal.
At three different grades, the same team that ended the group stage as top scorers last year remains at the summit this term.
Uibh Laoire (10-46) are still the Premier Intermediate entertainers and Knocknagree (7-45) retain that title in Senior A.
Yet, it’s Premier Junior front-runners Buttevant who, again, are keeping umpires busiest across Cork.
The Avondhu side clipped 9-56 to top their group, averaging 3-19 per match. Like last year, Mark Lenahan (3-15), Conor Hanlon (1-17), and David Hanlon (1-16) are their best shooters.
Still, there will be plenty of contenders for that trophy, with Inniscarra, Cullen, St Nick’s, and Canovee all averaging at least 20 points per match.
The fifth tier has been the highest scoring of all grades. Indeed, it is the only championship without a goalless game in the group stage.
Last year’s title-winners, Kilmurry, have taken the step up in their stride. The Muskerry men are the Intermediate A top scorers with 7-42 as they take the direct route to the semi-finals.
At Premier Senior level, Nemo Rangers needed all of their scoring ability to take the semi-final bye. They ended the group stage on 6-49. T
he big three dominate the rankings, with St Finbarr’s and Castlehaven next in line. They also rank towards the top of the competition’s best defences (Barrs, Haven, Nemo in that order).
They did enough right off the ball, but couldn’t replicate that success in attack.
The best defence across all grades comes in Intermediate A. Adrigole weren’t far away last season and they could go closer again if a suffocating 2-24 conceded is anything to go by. That’s just 10 points allowed per match, even with the addition of orange flags.
Three goalkeepers went through the entire group stage without permitting a green flag. John Buckley (Aghabullogue), Luke Hanna (Mitchelstown), and Ross Cronin (St Nick’s) share that honour.
Nick’s achievement at Premier Junior level stands out at a grade where every other defence coughed up at least three goals.
The signs are particularly good for the Northsiders when they can boast eight goals at the other end.
That’s only bettered by Buttevant and Inniscarra, who shared the same group and nine goals apiece, and Uibh Laoire’s 10.
Encountering those heavy-scoring teams, others have felt the brunt. A couple of relegation candidates will be concerned by ending as both the lowest scorers and the leakiest defence in their division.
Fermoy were in that bracket at Senior A with a -22 score difference. They face O’Donovan Rossa in their relegation final.
It’s a similar story for Millstreet (-34 score difference) at Premier Junior. Glenville (-30) were saved by being in the same group, leaving a Duhallow derby against Ballydesmond.
St Vincent’s (-28 score difference) are facing a fourth relegation final in five years. Having held off rivals Na Piarsaigh last autumn, Dromtarriffe provide their opponents.
At Premier Intermediate, Castletownbere ended as the lowest scorers and the leakiest defence, yet avoided the trapdoor match thanks to a well-timed opening day victory over Macroom, who meet Bandon. Castletownbere’s nine goals conceded was only matched by Bantry Blues.
St Michael’s proved the least potent attack. They were the only team across the grades to conclude with no goal scored, while raising just 31 points. A draw against Ballincollig saved them. In fact, it should’ve been a win.
Who else will hold regrets? Last year’s Premier Senior semi-finalists, Mallow, showed their scoring strength endures by matching Castlehaven’s output. Their 3-45 was the largest total from a team which failed to advance.
As for work-ons? Carrigaline conceded 4-49 while qualifying. In fairness, almost half of that total came on one lacklustre afternoon against the Barrs.
Meanwhile, Ballincollig will likely need to improve upon the 3-35 they have registered if they are to reach further rounds. Only Glanmire, 2-36 at Premier Intermediate, scored less and progressed.
1. Buttevant 9-56 (83) in Premier Junior;
2. Uibh Laoire 10-46 (76) in Premier Intermediate;
=3. Nemo Rangers 6-49 (67) in Premier Senior; =3. Inniscarra 9-40 (67) in Premier Junior; 5. Knocknagree 7-45 (66) in Senior A.
1. Adrigole 2-24 (30) in Intermediate A; 2. Aghabullogue 0-34 in Premier Intermediate;
=3. Douglas 2-29 (35) in Premier Senior; =3. Naomh Abán 2-29 (35) in Premier Intermediate; 5. St Finbarr’s 1-33 (36) in Premier Senior.
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