Aghabullogue footballers one win away from returning to PIFC final

After going so close to securing McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier Intermediate Football Championship glory in 2024, Aghabullogue are looking to go one step further and bring home the silverware this time around.

On Saturday afternoon the Muskerry club made a statement of intent with a fully deserved 3-16 to 0-12 quarter-final victory over Kiskeam.

Aghabullogue played with pace and with a purpose. The likes of Matthew Bradley, Luke Casey, Cialan O’Sullivan and Evan O’Sullivan were among the star performers during this ruthless outing in Banteer.

Managed by the newly appointed Cork U20 football boss Ray Keane, Aghabullogue lost to Kilshannig in the PIFC final last year after a replay.

Now they are 60 minutes away from reaching another county decider, as Aghabullogue now will face Naomh Abán in the Cork PIFC semi-final.

Speaking to The Echo, Aghabullouge manager Keane declared that his side are right they want to be at the business end of the championship.

Keane said reflecting on the quarter final win over Kiskeam.

“The first half was a hard battle, everything that we would have expected from Kiskeam and they are a team that will never die.

“What you will get against Kiskeam you will earn it and we did to be fair. The first half we were probably just not efficient enough. We had chances and didn’t take them.

You just have to go back to your basics of your work-rate and effort. 

"That was all there as well today, which is the most pleasing from a management point of view. 

"That is the foundation that everything can go on from there. We are just delighted to be in a semi-final.”

Aghabullogue now can looking forward to what should be a tasty Muskerry derby clash against Naomh Abán in two weeks.

It is a repeat of clash in the last four just over 12 months ago, a game which Aghabullogue narrowly came out on top in.

Looking ahead to the challenge which will be posed by Naomh Abán in the semi-final, Keane knows they'll have to be fully tuned in.

“That is just a huge challenge for us again. But we will look forward to it.

“It took us everything we had to get over Naomh Abán last year and they had Ed Myers missing to the best of my knowledge. 

"He is back and he is flying this year and in reality is knocking on Cork’s door I would imagine 

“Carthach Keane is there a year extra. His work will certainly be embedded."

RISING

Overall Aghabullogue are riding the wave of momentum at the moment. 

Next weekend, the club’s hurlers are in semi-final action in the Cork IAHC against Aghada. According to Keane, all bar six or seven of his Aghabullogue side are hurlers too.

On top of that, there are a number of this group also play soccer for Coachford in the Cork AUL, a talented team that came out on top 5-4 in an epic Keanes Jewellers Munster Champions Trophy Cup final against Ringmahon Rangers at Turner's Cross.

As far as Keane is concerned a rising tide lifts all boats out in Coachford and in Aghabullogue GAA.

“The players deserve all the respect, simple as that. They were out hurling last week and they are out hurling next week. 

"Some of them probably have two or three soccer games in the middle of this week knowing them! 

They will play them all, train hard and do everything that is required.

“You just hope they come through it. We will knuckle down maybe Tuesday or Wednesday week and prepare for Naomh Abán.” 

They certainly are on a roll.

"Winning is a habit and that is the reality of it. I can’t speak highly enough about this crowd. 

"They would give you absolutely everything. Some of them you need to just hold them back and mind them.” 

As far as Keane is concerned, Aghabullogue are right exactly where they want to be. 

2023 saw Aghabullogue win Cork IAFC title, which was one part of a historic football and championship double.

There is every possibility that when the Cork PIFC trophy is handed out in October, Aghabullogue captain John Corkery will be the man lifting the silverware.