Matthew Bradley kicks the winner as Aghabullogue defeat Uibh Laoire to claim PIFC title

Aghabullogue: 2-12 (2-2-8) 

Uibh Laoire: 2-11 (2-3-5) 

Glory for Aghabullogue once again as they defeated Muskerry rivals Uibh Laoire by the bare minimum to claim the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC title at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday evening.

After losing the decider after a replay last season to Kilshannig, the Coachford-based side showed composure and guile especially in the second 30 minutes in this one to crawl over the line.

It’s a second county crown in three seasons for them after winning the IAFC in 2023. 

The game swung so many times and it looked like a replay was required until Matthew Bradley stepped up to point for Aghabullogue two minutes into added time.

The showed resolve too on so many occasions, trailing by five points at one juncture, but the team managed by new Cork U20 football boss Ray Keane, did enough to claim the title.

Aaron O’Sullivan did get the first score after a couple of minutes, a fine point for Aghabullogue, but it was cancelled out by a two-pointer from Cathal Vaughan for Uibh Laoire.

It was as expected a free-flowing attacking game of football between two quality sides. The Coachford-based team raised a green flag after six minutes. Bradley’s free dropped short and it wasn’t dealt with by Uibh Laoire goalkeeper Joe Creedon and Luke Casey had the easy task of tapping the ball into the net.

For the first time in this championship though, Aghabullogue conceded a goal. Vaughan’s attempt for another orange flag fell nicely for Ian Jones who fisted the ball past Aghabullogue goalkeeper John Buckley, 1-2 to 1-1 after 10 minutes.

Casey did draw his side level, but wayward shooting was leaving them down in the opening quarter with five wides.

Aghabullogue were in control but weren’t reflecting that on the scoreboard. They were denied a second goal after 17 minutes when Creedon made a fine stop to deny John Corkery a certain green flag.

It did go out for a 45, which Bradley duly pointed. It wasn’t high-scoring, but it was very exciting. Chris Óg Jones bisected the posts in his first attempt for a score after 21 minutes and a minute later the Cork senior footballer was denied a goal by Buckley in between the Aghabullogue sticks.

UIbh Laoire were clinical when they did venture forward, Vaughan slotted over a two-point free and it was followed by a Chris Óg Jones palmed finish after his brother Ian Jones set him up, 2-5 to 1-3 with five minutes to the break.

Aghabullogue needed a spark and they got it with an inspirational two-pointer from Adam Murphy. The impressive Casey raised a white flag to leave the team in green and white two points adrift at half-time, 2-5 to 1-6.

The sides traded points on the resumption until a Chris Óg Jones free gave Uibh Laoire a three-point buffer.

In a topsy-turvy game, Aghabullogue went ahead again with 1-1 without reply. A Bradley free and a great team move resulted in Corkery slotting home after a one-two with Evan O’Sullivan, 2-8 to 2-7 after 38 minutes.

Keane’s charges were now in the ascendancy with Paul Ring, Shane Tarrant and Colm Gillespie excellent around the middle.

Pauric O’Sullivan and another Murphy two-pointer opened up a four-point lead for Aghabullogue with a quarter of the game left, 2-11 to 2-7.

An outrageous two-pointer from long range from Vaughan and a white flag from the latter left Uibh Laoire a point behind though after 53 minutes.

An easy Chris Óg Jones free drew the sides level.

It was time for a team to grab the game by the scruff of the neck once and for all, the contest went into added time and it was Bradley who was the hero with a point from an acute angle.

Aghabullogue join the senior football ranks for the first time. The first part of another double they hope with the IAHC final also to come in the coming weeks. 

Scorers for Aghabullogue: L Casey 1-3, A Murphy 0-4 (2 2pt), J Corkery 1-0, M Bradley 0-3 (0-1 f, 0-1 45), P O’Sullivan, A O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Uibh Laoire: C Vaughan 0-7 (2 2pt, 1 2pt f), C Óg Jones 1-3 (0-2 f), I Jones 1-0, S O’Riordan 0-1.

AGHABULLOGUE: J Buckley; C Smyth, P Dilworth, D Merrick; P Ring, S Tarrant, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, A Murphy; P O’Sullivan, J Corkery (c), A O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Subs: C O’Sullivan for E O’Sullivan (48), D Thompson for P O’Sullivan (59).

UIBH LAOIRE: J Creedon; B Murphy, D O’Donovan, D O’Riordan; C Galvin, S O’Leary (c), K Manning; T Roberts, C O’Leary; S O’Riordan, C Vaughan, B O’Leary; C O’Riordan, C Óg Jones, I Jones.

Subs: S Pickering for B O’Leary (40), B Cronin for C O’Riordan (50).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).