Quick turnaround for Aghabullogue as they enter Munster series 

Despite the quick turnaround, Aghabullogue manager Ray Keane certainly isn’t complaining.

The team in green and white won the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC title last Sunday after a one-point win over Muskerry rivals Uibh Laoire.

The Coachford-based outfit are on the road up to Tipperary this weekend. They face Thurles Sarsfields in the AIB Munster Club IFC quarter-final on Sunday in Templetuohy with throw-in at 1.30pm.

“As someone would say, first-world problems, thank God,” the new Cork U20 football boss says on the seven-day turnaround.

“Never would we have thought that at the start of the year we would be going into a Munster campaign. It’s brilliant to have got over last Sunday, that was the main goal. To get back on the road again in such a short space of time is something we are looking forward to.

“People might be saying that we would want a break, but it’s great. Other times, we would be at home doing nothing. There are a lot of teams that would like to be in our position.” 

Given everything that transpired last Sunday for Aghabullogue, including Matthew Bradley’s winner right at the end and the incredible celebrations that followed, they will be on a high this weekend.

“The lads are old enough to enjoy themselves and know how to enjoy it,” the Éire Óg clubman said.

“As I keep referencing, they are playing football, hurling and soccer. They are used to juggling it all. I am sure they have thoroughly enjoyed themselves for the last few days.

“On a personal level, you would be absolutely wrecked after Sunday, but it’s the adrenaline that keeps you going for the first 24 hours. The celebrations were manic. It’s very hard to stop and think about the craic that you are having.

“The players haven’t had time to think. Whenever this journey ends, then they will be able to reflect and watch back the final and realise that they are actually going to be playing senior football next year.

“The biggest thing for us this weekend is that we are going into the unknown. It’s totally new for this group of players to be playing teams from outside of Cork. You are going on a longer journey, different pitch, different opposition. We will go up the road anyway, give it a shot and see where it takes us.” 

The Coachford-based side will be appearing in the provincial championship for the first time since 2004. Back then, they did very well as they reached the Munster JFC final, but they lost to Finuge of Kerry.

Aghabullogue will be keen to make an impression this time around also. First of all, they need to take care of Thurles Sarsfields.

“I had a fella in my shop the other day from Rosscarbery who told me Peter Creedon, who is from Rosscarbery, is training Thurles Sarsfields. He managed the Tipperary senior footballers for a few years. That will tell you enough.

“Thurles Sarsfields will be fit and organised. From what I gather, they are a big physical side. They have a few former and possibly current Tipperary footballers and current Tipperary hurlers. Any team that are carrying that kind of calibre of athletes will always be tough. They will have a bit about them.” Keane concluded.