Niall Allen making his mark as a coach as Iveleary eye up senior ranks 

Niall Allen has gone about his business quietly but he has made a big impact as a coach to date.

The Ballincollig native is in his third season with Iveleary. There has been gradual progress during that time and this Sunday they meet Muskerry rivals Aghabullogue in the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (3.30pm).

There was a lot of intrigue in Mid-Cork when Allen, who has a Cork SFC medal with Ballincollig from the 2014 season, decided to head out the road to Inchigeela.

He’s the son of former Cork player and manager John Allen. The latter hails from the Aghabullogue parish and played for the club before his move to St Finbarr's.

“I had a great few years with Ballincollig and Podsie O’Mahony was a big help to me," the Iveleary coach says.

"That period was a massive learning curve. I went into coaching straight after I finished playing. I was thrown into the deep end if you want to say that.

“I had a brilliant time with Ballincollig. We got to the semi-final in the last year coaching the team. Podsie gave me massive ownership and empowered me to coach the players. After three years with Ballincollig, the Iveleary manager Barry Oldham contacted me.

“His brother John would be heavily involved with Ballincollig. That was the connection there. I would have also known a lot of Iveleary players. My father would have been principal in Kilbarry for a good few years.

“I would have done my teaching practise out there. I got to know the Iveleary players and always followed their results after that. When Barry Oldham did get in touch with me, it was a very interesting role. They are a serious team.

“I would have come up against Iveleary in Junior football as a player, so I would have always kept an eye on them. It’s my third season with them and they are a fabulous group.” 

Iveleary’s trajectory has been pointing in the right direction under Allen’s coaching. The team in red and white reached the quarter-finals in 2023 and the semi-finals last year.

On both occasions, they lost to the eventual winners of the championship in the shape of Cill na Martra and Kilshannig.

“The Premier Intermediate grade is such a tough level to compete in,” Allen said.

“The standard of teams is serious. Gradually, we have been building year on year. We have been promoted in the leagues over the last couple of years. Not that we put a massive emphasis on the league, but when you are competitive in the league, it does help.

“Mallow were in our league this year in Division 3, also Clyda Rovers and other quality teams. Playing those teams and testing yourself definitely brings you on.

“You are more prepared for the championship when that comes around. We have found the step up as you go through the leagues is quite big and just trying to get up to speed. It has helped us though.

“The lads have really bought into what we have been trying to implement.” 

Iveleary know what they are coming up against on Sunday. Aghabullogue reached the final last season and were unlucky to lose out to Kilshannig after a replay.

“We are going into the final basically injury-free. A full squad to pick from. We are all looking forward to the challenge ahead.

“Aghabullogue turned us over last year in the group stage. We are hoping that we can perform a bit better. We are under no illusions just how tough it will be.

“Aghabullogue are a serious outfit, really solid defensively. We are going to be really up against it.” Allen concluded.