Aghinagh and Donoughmore will meet again after Mid Cork Junior A Football final thriller

Aghinagh 1-12 (1-2-8) Donoughmore 0-15 (0-3-9) 

A replay will be required to determine the winners of the 2025 Muskerry Junior A Football Championship, after nothing could separate finalists Aghinagh and Donoughmore in what was a thrilling contest in Macroom.

Aghinagh, looking to secure the Muskerry title for the second time in their history, thought their name was on the silverware when they were four points ahead with 12 minutes remaining.

However, Donoughmore, seeking their first Muskerry football crown since 2011, rallied well with four of the last five scores of the game to help ensure this final finished in a draw. The Muskerry JAFC final replay is pencilled in for next Saturday in Macroom with a 3pm throw-in.

During what was a lively opening half, Donoughmore set their wheels in motion thanks to a lovely two-pointer by Adam Dinan. Managed by the former Cork minor and U20 football manager Bobbie O’Dwyer, Aghinagh grew in early momentum with Liam Twohig and William Coakley slotting over well-taken scores.

Donoughmore proved to be the more clinical side in the opening half, with Gavin O’Sullivan landing over a sweetly struck two-pointer, with points by Scott Barrett seeing Donoughmore lead 0-6 to 0-4 after 17 minutes.

A cracking two-pointer from Declan Ambrose for Aghinagh saw the sides back on level terms.

But a strong finish by Donoughmore, including points from Declan Keating and David McDonnell, saw them hold the advantage at 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time.

Con Buckley got a much-needed score for Aghinagh shortly upon the restart, with Donoughmore responding through a Keating point. 

Then Aghinagh reduced the deficit courtesy of points from Buckley and the lively Twohig.

On 45 minutes, Aghinagh found the back of the net, as O’Sullivan was on hand to fist home following a floating long ball across the goalmouth. The Rusheen-based outfit then slotted over a two-pointer from Twohig, as Aghinagh led 1-11 to 0-10 with 48 minutes played.

With the game appearing to be slipping away from them, Donoughmore dug deep and finished strongly.

Gavin O’Sullivan slotted over a two-pointer, which was followed up by a Barrett point. A cracking pair of scores by Rory Honohan had Donoughmore in front by a point heading into second-half stoppage time. But a late free for Aghinagh by Twohig saw the sides finish level.

Scorers for Aghinagh: L Twohig 0-6 (1 2pt f, 0-2 f), G O’Sullivan 1-0, D Ambrose (1 2pt), C Buckley 0-2 each, W Coakley, S Corkery 0-1 each.

Donoughmore: G O’Sullivan 0-4 (1 2pt, 1 2pt f), D Keating (0-1 f), S Barrett 0-3 each, A Dinan (1 2pt), R Honohan 0-2 each, D McDonnell 0-1.

AGHINAGH: J McCarthy; TJ Buckley, D O’Riordan, O Cummins; D Ambrose, L O’Leary, T Buckley; M McCarthy, T Morgans; S O’Riordan, C Buckley, S Corkery; W Coakley, L Twohig, G O’Sullivan.

Subs: S Cummins for Coakley (HT), T Sheehan for O’Riordan (37), A Twomey for O’Sullivan (49).

DONOUGHMORE: K O’Riordan; F Honohan, M Foley, S Broderick; R Honohan, J Crowley, K O’Connell; S O’Hanlon, M Lucey; A Dinan, G O’Sullivan, D Holland; D Keating, D McDonnell, S Barrett.

Subs: P Crowley for Dinan, D Morrissey for Holland (both 43), L O’Sullivan for O’Connell (48).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).