PIFC: Aghabullogue star John Corkery wary of Naomh Abán ahead of semi-final 

Aghabullogue were seconds away from winning the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC title last year.

They weren’t able to hang on as they conceded a late point to Kilshannig in the final as they would then lose the replay.

Recovering from such a huge disappointment can be challenging, but the Muskerry team have got back on the horse.

They won the Division 4 league this year and are in the last four of the championship.

For the second successive season, Aghabullogue, the 2023 IAFC winners, take on Naomh Abán in the last four.

Macroom is the venue tomorrow at 4pm.

“The natural thing if you lose a final, the first thing you all say to each other is we’ll be back,” forward and team captain John Corkery says.

“You go back to the bottom of the mountain and back to the 11 other teams that are involved. Look, we’re back at the semi-final stage. It’s great to be back there.

“Obviously there was huge disappointment with how last year ended.

“I suppose when you think back, maybe we were a little bit green for the grade, first year up and first year ever playing at this grade.

“But look, it was a great experience. We all learned an awful lot. But again, you’re not guaranteed anything. Just because you’ve got to the final last year doesn’t mean you’re going straight back there.

“The teams are getting stronger every year. There’s way more challenges involved than before from what I can see.” 

While it’s largely a young group, Corkery is very much an experienced campaigner with Aghabullogue. He has seen it all. 

“I’m a fella that’s bringing the age profile up. But look, there’s a nice age profile. Every day you learn something. You don’t go through these journeys without losing along the way.

“We just take it day by day and you train to better yourself, that’s the kind of way we operate.

“The lads play a bit of soccer as well. We play hurling and we play football. Look, it just all works.

“It’s working for now. It won’t work forever. Playing both hurling and football is hard from my point of view, but it’s enjoyable. You’ve just got to look after yourself.” 

Corkery got the winning score against Naomh Abán with an excellent point as Aghabullogue won 0-11 to 1-7 in what was a typical local derby 12 months ago.

Naomh Abán though were without Cork U20 footballer Ed Myers due to injury. He’s back and firing on all cylinders these days.

“You could argue we were lucky against Naomh Abán last year. I think they’re a much-improved team this year.

“I think we’ll be well up against it. First of all, we need to come out and compete. It’s going to be a great occasion in Macroom.

“It’s a brilliant spot for a match.”