Premier SFC: Imokilly face Avondhu for a place in seeded section 

Imokilly and Avondhu meet this evening in Round 3 of the unseeded divisions/colleges section of the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC, with a clear reward on the line, the winners move on to the seeded section in June. 

That alone gives this game a real edge. Glantane is the venue, with throw-in at 8pm.

Imokilly come in on the back of an excellent start. Two weeks ago, they were far too strong for MTU Cork, winning 0-16 to 0-5 and controlling the game from early on. Their forwards were lively throughout, and Daniel Murnane stood out with 0-9, a tally that underlined both his accuracy and his importance to his side.

They were solid at the back too, limiting MTU Cork to very few clear chances. Aaron Mulcahy had a strong outing at full-back, dealing well with everything that came his way, while Kyle O’Shea was also effective in defence, reading the play well and helping Imokilly keep things tight. That defensive platform allowed them to play with confidence further up the field.

The performance has given them a lift. Imokilly are trying to build something, given it’s their first season back in the competition since 2023. The MTU Cork result was a step in the right direction and a reward for the work put in on the training ground in recent months. They looked organised, energetic and confident in possession — all things they will need again this evening against a difficult opponent.

Avondhu, for their part, have already played two championship games in the last fortnight, which should leave them well tuned in. They opened with a win over Seandún and followed it up last Tuesday with a hard-earned victory against Beara. Those two outings have given them valuable minutes and a chance to settle their team shape.

A big part of their strength comes from the Hanlon brothers, Conor and David, who bring pace, power and plenty of experience up front.

Mark Lenahan has also been in good form, offering steady leadership and a reliable presence around the middle third. Ben Twomey is also a player to keep an eye on in the forward line.

Their win over Seandún showed they can put up scores, while the Beara game tested their resolve in a more physical contest. Coming through both will give them confidence heading into this one.

Imokilly arrive fresher, with one strong performance behind them. Avondhu arrive sharper, with two competitive games already played. With a place in the seeded section in June up for grabs, which would be against Muskerry, it has the makings of a close and competitive game.