PIFC and IAFC draws: Uibh Laoire start championship with tough game against Glanmire

Last year’s beaten finalists Uibh Laoire will be hoping to go one step better this year in the McCarthy Insurance Group PIFC.

They start their campaign with a difficult tie against Glanmire, a side that are never easy to beat.

The beaten semi-finalists were Naomh Aban and Aghada, and their opening ties will see them play Fermoy and Kiskeam, respectively.

Ballinora, who were promoted to this level, also have a difficult opening tie as they take on the famed Trabeg side in Nemo Rangers.

So the groups are: Group 1: Glanmire, Uibh Laoire, Bantry Blues, and Rockchapel.

Group 2: Kiskeam, Aghada, Macroom, and Castletownberre.

Group 3: Naomh Aban, Fermoy, Nemo Rangers, and Ballinora.

Opening round fixtures are: Glanmire v Uibh Laoire; Bantry Blues v Rockchapel; Kiskeam v Aghada; Macroom v Castletownbere; Naomh Aban v Fermoy; Nemo Rangers v Ballinora.

In the IAFC last year’s beaten finalists, Ilen Rovers take on Kilmurry in their first game in Group 1.

Kimurry were beaten in the semi-final last year so this should be a tight game, with little or nothing between the sides.

Adrigole, the other beaten semi-finalists, will take on Bandon, who were relegated to this grade, in their opening tie, and have no doubt Bandon will be determined to go straight back up.

Buttevant, who were promoted from the PJFC, will be aiming to continue their good Cork championship form and take on Glanworth in their first game at this level.

They lost out in the Munster final last weekend, but afterwards manager Joey Hanlon said they were looking forward to this draw and it would give them a boost they needed after that defeat.

That Munster campaign should stand to them as they will have learned a lot from those encounters and will be a tough team to get the better of.

Gabriel Rangers will start their championship against Mitchelstown in the top game in Group 2.

So the groups are: Group 1: Ilen Rovers, Kilmurry, Buttevant, and Glanworth.

Group 2: Gabriel Rangers, Mitchelstown, St Finbarr’s, and Dromtarriffe.

Group 3: Bandon, Adrigole, Boherbue, and Kildorrery.

Opening round fixtures are: Ilen Rovers v Kilmurry; Buttevant v Glanworth; Gabriel Rangers v Mitchelstown; St Finbarr’s v Dromtarriffe; Bandon v Adrigole; Bantry Blues v Kildorrery.