Premier IFC: Mid-Cork duo seek to continue mobility

The footballers of Uibh Laoire and Aghabullogue have not had too much opportunity to come into contact in recent times, but there is one stand-out fixture.

It’s one that the Inchigeela side will look to draw upon when the clubs do battle in Sunday’s McCarthy Insurance Group Premier IFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh while their Coachford opponents will surely use it as a motivational force or a learning experience at the very least.

It came in November 2021, just a few months after Uibh Laoire had won the delayed 2020 county JAFC. Ascending to intermediate for the first time had not fazed them as they carried their form into the group stages with three wins before a quarter-final triumph over Glanworth.

That set up an all-Muskerry semi-final tie against Aghabullogue, who had also reached the last four in 2020, losing to Mitchelstown. However, while a close game might have been expected, instead Uibh Laoire caught fire.

Brian Cronin’s first-half goal helped them to a 1-8 to 0-2 half-time lead and, while Niall Barry-Murphy did give Aghabullogue some hope when he raised a green flag early in the second half, the response was emphatic. Conor O’Leary set up Chris Óg Jones for another Uibh Laoire goal and it was O’Leary himself, set up by Ian Jones, who netted the third as they ran out winners by 3-14 to 1-5.

In another county final so soon after the last one, they maintained their upward progress with a fine win over Mitchelstown and their time at premier intermediate has seen them become regular contenders.

In both 2022 and 2024, they were semi-finalists, reaching the quarter-finals in 2023, and this year they had a 100 percent record in a group featuring Castletownbere, Kiskeam and Macroom - that earned them direct passage to the last four, where they were far too strong for Aghada.

Aghabullogue’s response to the 2021 semi-final defeat was to bounce back to make the final the next year - though Kilshannig beat them there, they continued the pattern of going a step further with victory in 2023, beating Mitchelstown in the final (unfortunately for the north Cork outfit, a third final loss in four years).

At premier intermediate level in 2024, Aghabullogue almost managed what Uibh Laoire had done in the 2020 and 2021 seasons by going back-to-back: as with the 2022 IAFC, Kilshannig were their opponents in the final but they fell just short, losing out after a replay.

As has been the way for Aghabullogue in recent times, again the knock-back was only the inspiration to come again. In the group stages this year, they overcame Aghada, Bantry Blues and Nemo Rangers - while that wasn’t enough for a quarter-final bye, they saw off Kiskeam in the quarter-finals.

From there, they had to earn a semi-final victory over another mid-Cork side, Naomh Abán, with two Luke Casey goals and 0-6 from Matthew Bradley helping them to a 2-11 to 0-15 win.

Now, they renew acquaintance with Uibh Laoire - whichever team gets over the line to reach senior A will certainly have deserved it.