Cill na Martra keen to blood younger players across the league

Cill na Martra are a club that have been ticking in an upward trajectory over the last decade. 

After winning the IAFC title in 2018 and the PIFC crown in 2023, last year saw Cill na Martra go down in the Senior A final against Knocknagree at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Cill na Martra, are managed by Morgan O’Sullivan with All-Ireland winner Noel O’Leary and Alan O'Regan also involved, will be looking to generate further momentum this spring ahead of championship. 

They are determined to go that extra step to secure a seat at Premier Senior Championship top table.

On Sunday morning, Cill na Martra recorded their first victory of the 2026 McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Division 1 Football League by edging out a tight battle with Nemo, 1-17 to 2-13. After drawing with Newcestown on the opening day of the league, Cill na Martra once again proved against Robbie O’Dwyer’s Nemo Rangers that they are a tough nut to crack on home soil.

It was a solid collective effort overall from Cill na Martra, with former Cork senior footballer Dano Dineen among a number of players to produce impressive displays for the Muskerry side.

Speaking to The Echo, Cill na Martra coach Alan O’Regan said that full focus in the interim is very much on utilising the league as much as they can.

“You take every game in isolation. Today is a good day, the next day might not be so good. But look, it is about getting as many players as we can on the field and to blood younger players.

We have players gone away abroad. So we are trying to bring new players through. That takes time and these are great games for them to test them.” 

Reflecting on the win over Nemo, O’Regan added: “It is great to get a result against Nemo, but we will acknowledge that Nemo are missing half a team.

“It was a tough physical game in March. Both teams were missing a lot of players. So it was a good workout and better than any training session."

BUILDING BLOCKS

With the squad and talent at their disposal, Cill na Martra will certainly have earmarked another strong championship challenge later in the summer.

In the Cork SAFC this year, Cill na Martra are in the same group as Carbery Rangers, O’Donovan Rossa and Newmarket.

“It is early in the year for us in the league. We are just building for championship. These games are good for us to get through as we build up to July," O'Regan outlines.

“We want to improve through the months leading up to the summer. Building for championship is what it is all about.” 

Next up in league action for Cill na Martra is an away trip to take on Carbery Rangers on March 29. This could be an early preview of what to anticipate ahead of their championship duel in a few months.