Castlehaven refreshed and driven for new campaign 

Castlehaven stalwart Mark Collins says there’s a fierce hunger in the squad to atone for what happened in 2025.

The West Cork side, who won the Premier SFC in 2023 and ’24, lost to the eventual winners St Finbarr’s at the quarter-final juncture in the last campaign.

The Haven lost 6-11 to 0-19 in front of a packed crowd in Clonakilty as their aim to win the Andy Scannell for a third successive year came to an end. They have never won three championships on the trot before. 

“We had an unbelievable couple of years, we had no complaints about the St Finbarr’s game,” the former Cork footballer states.

“I actually felt on the day that we didn’t play too badly, but unfortunately the goals were a killer. You have to be on top of your game to beat St Finbarr’s. They went on to show what a great team that they are.

“You have to be 100 percent to compete with the Barrs and maybe we weren’t at that level last year. We are on the road a long time, but the new rules brought an extra element to the game in 2025.

“Everyone had a fresh start. It was a learning curve and it took some time to get used to them.” 

Castlehaven were already qualified for the knockout stages prior to their last group game against Newcestown last year.

Collins admits that the loss to Jim O’Sullivan’s side did knock a bit of confidence out of the Haven.

“The loss to Newcestown definitely was a blow and we probably doubted ourselves after that game,” he says.

“To be fair, Newcestown went on to reach the semi-final and were unlucky to lose against Nemo. What they are doing in both codes is just super. They beat us fair and square.

“But doubt came into our game and it played into the St Finbarr’s defeat.

“It was disappointing not to have won another county title. Every year you go out, you want to go as far as possible. We wanted to win the Andy Scannell again last year.” 

Collins made the Reardens All-Star team once again for 2025 on the back of his performances. He has revelled in his wing-back role in recent years having mostly played in the forward department.

“I just love playing football ever since I was young. My parents would have brought me to every game under the sun,” he said.

“I have been lucky that since I stepped away from Cork that I have such a professional unit below in Castlehaven. I have really enjoyed the last few years, helped by the new rules.

“I am pushing on in age, stepping away from Cork was tough and finishing up playing hurling with Douglas, but being able to focus purely on Castlehaven has made life a bit easier.” 

Castlehaven haven’t made a significant impression in the Division 1 Football League over the last number of seasons. 

There are reasons behind that with many of their players involved with Cork teams. The West Cork outfit start their league campaign away to Éire Óg on Sunday, March 1 at 11.30am.

The Haven’s McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC group this year is box office with rivals Clonakilty, Ballincollig and newcomers Knocknagree with them.

“Speaking to the other players in recent weeks, there’s a big hunger to do well this year in everything that we do and hopefully we can push on in the league first of all.

“It would help us going into the championship. The group we are in is very exciting, a very tough one.

“Ballincollig were beaten in the semi-final last year, Clonakilty have been there or thereabouts over the last four or five years. They have a strong panel.

“Then Knocknagree, what they have achieved has been absolutely incredible. We have played them previously in challenge games and we know how good of a side they are.

“It’s good thing for us that the group is difficult. It will focus the minds and it’s something to look forward to. We will be raring for road when it does come around in the summer.”