PIFC preview: Aghabullogue chase a semi-final spot as Macroom in relegation woe again

By tomorrow night, there will be just four teams remaining in the knockout stages of the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC.

The two quarter-finals take place tomorrow. In Banteer at 4.15pm, last year’s beaten finalists Aghabullogue will look to take another step to getting back there.

They will face a Kiskeam team who will still be bouncing after their 4-13 to 1-14 success over Castletownbere a fortnight ago to seal progression from their group.

The sides could have swapped places last season, Kiskeam came down from Senior A as Aghabullogue lost the final after a replay to Kilshannig.

Recently appointed Cork U20 football boss Ray Keane has built and developed Aghabullogue into serious contenders at this grade.

In Luke Casey and Matthew Bradley, the Muskerry team have two of the best forwards at this particular level. Aaron O’Sullivan does a lot of the unseen work in the forward department.

Kiskeam’s win over Castletownbere in their final group game was a massive victory in so many ways and most importantly their first championship win in two years.

Mike Casey and Seán Meehan were excellent at number 3 and number 6 respectively last time out.

Dave Scannell and Seán O’Sullivan both contributed heavily including 2-4, all from play, for Scannell.

The other quarter-final is Glanmire and Aghada locking horns in Lisgoold tomorrow at 5pm.

Glanmire won the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC last year and have continued that form and confidence into this year.

It shouldn’t be a surprise given there’s not a huge difference between Premier Intermediate and Intermediate A.

Brian Galvin, Daniel Molden and Harry Jones carry the scoring threats for Mark Hopkins’ team.

Despite defeat to Aghabullogue last time out, Aghada went through from their group on scoring difference.

Aghada certainly rattled the Aghabullogue cage for large spells two weeks ago, but lost 1-13 to 0-10.

They will know themselves that everything will have to fall right for them tomorrow evening.

45-year-old Pearse O’Neill is an integral player in Mick Kiely’s squad. Kyle O’Shea is a tenacious defender and isn’t afraid of scoring at the other end either.

Diarmaid Phelan’s athleticism and fielding will be key around the middle. 

The relegation play-off is on Sunday in Kilmurry (2pm) between Macroom and Bandon.

For the third successive year, Macroom find themselves in this position. They got the job done against Na Piarsaigh and Ilen Rovers in the last two campaigns, can they hold their nerve again?

Demotion would leave more questions than answers for Aidan O'Mahony's team. The usual faces will be to the fore for the Muskerry side. Rory Buckley, Tony Dineen, Cillian Donovan and Alan Quinn will be some who will try and keep the club at this level.

Fintan Goold came on after 48 minutes in the 2-17 to 1-17 loss to Iveleary a fortnight ago.

Bandon’s form has come off the tracks since June. The Lilywhites earned promotion from Division 4 before losing to Aghabullogue in the league final, 0-19 to 2-2.

Since then, they lost to Glanmire, drew with Rockchapel and were well beaten by Naomh Abán in the group phase.

Mark Sugrue, Michael Cahalane and youngster Jack Cullinane can help Bandon avoid the drop.