Aghinagh and Donoughmore face off in attractive Muskerry JAFC final

The Castle Grounds in Macroom is the venue this weekend for the 2025 Ross Oil Muskerry Junior A Football Championship decider.

The final is down for decision on Saturday between Aghinagh and Donoughmore with a start time of 3pm.

Before a ball was kicked at the start of the year, these two teams would have been fancied to meet in the final especially with how the group stages fell.

Aghinagh return to the venue where their dreams came true four years ago. The Rusheen-based outfit won the Mid-Cork title for the first time in their history back in 2021.

Since, they have lost the divisional decider in 2022 and ’24 to Kilmurry and Inniscarra respectively. Both would go on to win the county crown.

Former Cork minor and U20 football boss Bobbie O’Dwyer is in his second campaign at the helm of Aghinagh.

This year has proved to be more challenging in terms of performances and results, but they are where they wanted to be at the start of the season.

They lost their first two championship group games and were on the brink of elimination before a big victory over Clondrohid ensured O’Dwyer’s charges finished second on scoring difference.

The team in blue and white have improved since the group stage, beating Ballincollig and Éire Óg’s second teams to reach the final.

Aghinagh had to dig deep last time out to beat a strong Éire Óg team in the last four, 2-8 to 0-13. Liam Twohig’s 0-4 and green flags from Con Buckley and William Coakley proved decisive.

Those three forwards will be integral to their side’s chances of winning a second Muskerry JAFC title.

Donagh O’Riordan and TJ Buckley will be important figures in defence.

Donoughmore have only won this particular championship on four occasions in their history with their last one coming in 2011. They have waited a long time to get back here because it’s their first time back since winning it 14 years ago.

Aghabullogue clubman Danny Buckley, who trained Aghinagh to their only divisional championship glory in 2021, is the coach of Donoughmore. That’s another interesting aspect to this final on Saturday.

Donoughmore did start slowly in their championship group stage back in the summer, losing to Ballincollig’s second team by a point. They recovered by hammering Dripsey.

Their last group game was due to be against Blarney, but the latter had withdrawn from the championship just before it got underway, so Donoughmore finished in second.

The team in black and white then comfortably took care of Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh’s reserves and then Grenagh in the last four.

Donoughmore have no shortage of attacking threats with minor players Daniel Holland and Scott Barrett after adapting well to the adult game this season.

Kerry native Declan Keating and David McDonnell also know where the posts are.

Kevin O’Connell and Seán O’Hanlon will be crucial players around the middle of the field.

A very difficult final to call. A slight nod to Donoughmore to prevail.