Captain Mark Lenahan still buzzing after Buttevant's historic success 

Nearly two weeks on from Buttevant’s historic county success, it still hasn’t sunk in for captain Mark Lenahan.

The Avondhu outfit won the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC after a comfortable win over St Nick’s last Saturday week at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Buttevant won on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-10 in the final. It secured the club’s first adult county football championship title in 99 years.

“It was a long time coming, we’re just so happy to get over that line, we’ve put in so much work over the last few years,” Lenahan says.

“We just want to get up the grades because we know what we’re capable of. St Nick’s were a very tough team to overcome, very physical. We didn’t underestimate them. Also, we never played at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

"We played on the 4G pitch for our first league game this year because of the weather. We were like, jeez, imagine if we end the championship out on the grass pitch or even walking up them steps. That was the dream. For the dream to come true, it still hasn’t sunk in.” 

Over the last week or so since the final, it has been more relief than anything else for Buttevant. To end such a long wait for county football glory, it definitely is a monkey off their back.

“We didn’t really look into that too much,” the forward said.

“We knew we’d never won a county in a very long time. We had loads of success at underage level alright. It just has all come right for us this year. A lot of motivation too. Miah Ahern, who was a Kildorrery man, came into Buttevant.

“He passed away in December 2023. We got on so great with that man. Any time we were struggling, and there have been dark days outside of the 2022 Avondhu success, he was the man to go to.

“I remember before his passing that we promised him that we’d win the county. Even though he was a Kildorrery man, he was so happy for us when we won the Avondhu three years ago. He was a selector. He was such a good guy.” 

Buttevant’s season isn’t finished just yet, there could be potentially more silverware lifted. The black and amber face Waterford side Shamrocks in the AIB Munster Club JFC quarter-final this Saturday at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field with throw-in at 1.30pm.

Buttevant will be keen to keep the trophy on Leeside. Kilmurry won the provincial championship last year.

“All the focus this year was on winning the county. Some of us probably didn’t even know there was a Munster section at this grade. We haven’t really thought about it to be honest.

“We only went back training there towards the end of last week, so we will give it a go anyway and see what happens. We haven't looked too far ahead all year.”