Ballyphehane ready to go as they face Knockainey in Munster Junior B semi-final

It’s a big weekend ahead for Ballyphehane who take on Knockainey of Limerick in the Munster Junior B Football Championship semi-final.

The game takes place on Sunday in Knockaderry with throw-in at 2pm. This particular competition has been successfully run by Knockaderry for some time giving clubs at this grade an opportunity to play at Munster level.

Ballyphehane come into the game on the back of a comfortable win over Ballinacourty of Waterford a fortnight ago.

“I suppose that can be the beauty of these competitions, you don’t know much about the opposition,” Ballyphehane manager Colm Barry says.

“You just focus on your own house. We just said the last day that we’d leave everything out on the pitch and if it was good enough, it was good enough and if it wasn't good enough, so be it.

“It was more than good enough against Ballinacourty. This time it will be a step up, no doubt about that. Knockainey, I suppose, had the advantage of seeing us play the last time as well.

“They got a bye straight through to the semi-final. You can look at it two ways. It is an advantage for them, look, there’s no doubt about that.

“But we’ll just be focusing on ourselves and if we can bring our game and bring what we can to the table, I’m sure we’ll have a great chance.” 

Last year was another season to remember for Ballyphehane at Junior B football level winning the confined championship, Seandún title as well as the Terence MacSwiney Cup.

“I’d have been delighted had we just won the confined championship, that was the ultimate aim having lost the two finals previously.

“Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought we’d have two more cups to add to it and to get to a divisional county final as well, which could have gone either way against Carrigaline.

“It’s just brilliant to have a Munster campaign this time of the year, it beats pre-season training. There’s a buzz back already and fellas know there’s competitive games happening before the new season starts.

“The Ballyphehane supporters see how hard the lads train and the effort they’ve put into it. The fans have backed us all the way and they gave us great support the last time above in Limerick.

“The ultimate aim now is to get to a Munster final and look, that would be a fantastic achievement if we could manage that.

“This could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity regardless of the grade, it’s a Munster semi-final and the chances of lads playing in another Munster campaign are extremely slim.

“We just have to embrace it and we have to give it everything. We have to leave everything out there.

“We know it will be a tough challenge, but we’re going to give it everything and see where it takes us. Hopefully it will be good enough.”