Premier JHC: Glen Rovers and Kilbrittain target great opportunity

Friday’s Co-op SuperStores Premier JHC is different to the five fifth-tier deciders that have preceded it since the new Cork championship system came into effect for 2020.

In what was known as the Lower IHC for the first two years of its existence and the premier junior grade since, each final has featured a team that was in a decider the year before. From 2020-23 inclusive, the junior A champions of the previous season were involved while last year St Catherine’s made it to the final for the second successive year – unfortunately for the east Cork outfit, they suffered back-to-back defeats.

For Kilbrittain, it is a second final appearance at this level; in 2021, they lost out to a Lisgoold side that had claimed 2020 the junior A title just three months previously. It looked as if they had missed their chance as the next three seasons saw them lose a semi-final and quarter-final respectively before finishing third in their group in 2024.

However, a renewed impetus this time around under Ballinascarthy native Joe Ryan saw the Carbery outfit record three impressive group-stage wins over neighbours Barryroe, Cloughduv – the team relegated from intermediate A last year – and Nemo Rangers, who had eliminated them last year.

Top seeding meant Kilbrittain progressed straight to the semi-finals, with Ballygarvan coming through the quarter-finals to meet them. The clubs have a mini-rivalry in recent times in 2010, Kilbrittain overcame the south-east outfit after a replay to win the IHC and this was their third consecutive season meeting in the Premier JHC, with one win apiece prior to the clash in Minane Bridge.

While Kilbrittain led for much of the game, a Ballygarvan second-half surge saw them move in front before a goal from sub Conor Ustianowski turned the momentum once more and a 1-17 to 0-18 scoreline sent them into the decider.

Kilbrittain’s aforementioned quarter-final loss of 2023 came against Glen Rovers, whose goalkeeper Ben Heffernan saved three penalties. The Glen have regularly contended in this grade since the relegation from intermediate A in 2021, a testament to the strength in depth the northside club possess, not to mention the conveyor belt of young talent.

Topping a group featuring St Catherine’s and St Finbarr’s, the Glen also booked a direct ticket to the semi-finals, where they met a fancied Cloughduv side.

Trailing by a point in the second half, the Glen moved ahead early in the second half through Evan Murphy, Glen Kennefick and Calvin Healy only for their mid-Cork opponents to respond well, tying the game at 0-18 each in the closing stages.

With three minutes left, Dylan Long came up with what proved to be game’s only goal, three points a big lead in such a tight game. Mark Verling pulled a point back for Cloughduv, but it was the Glen’s night – a first county final appearance for the club’s second team since 1976.

That game was played the night before the Kilbrittain-Ballygarvan game and it confirmed that the winners of the other semi would be Cork’s representatives in the AIB Munster Club JHC.

In beating Cloughduv, the Glen were in their black change kit but, having won the toss for colours for the final, they will be back in their usual hoops while Kilbrittain take to the field in all-black.