Mark Lenahan: Buttevant ready to push on after ending 99-year wait

When Buttevant finally got over the line last season to win the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC, captain Mark Lenahan didn’t feel shock or disbelief or even immediate joy. 

What washed over him was relief — the kind that comes only after years of frustration, near misses, and a county title drought stretching back almost a century.

It was 99 years since the Avondhu club last won an adult county title.

“It definitely was a relief,” he says. 

“There was a lot of hurt in 2024 losing the semi-final to Kilmurry. We really thought that was going to be the year for us, but it turned out it wasn’t.

“In 2025 we made good strides again. We put together a good league campaign, got out of the group in the championship, and getting straight to a semi-final really helped us.” 

That semi-final win over Canovee in Glantane was the moment Buttevant came to the party. It wasn’t just a result. After falling short at that hurdle 12 months earlier, it was a weight lifted.

“That day we kind of said, ‘Jeez, we’re going to Páirc Uí Chaoimh.’ We’d never played there before. We were really looking forward to it.

“It was a super feeling to look up at the supporters at the famous stadium. When the final whistle went after we beat St Nick’s in the final, it was pure relief. Pure elation.

“We were thrilled to get over the line. It was 99 years since the club’s last adult county title — it meant everything.” 

That breakthrough didn’t come out of nowhere. Buttevant had been building towards it for years, even if the results didn’t always show it. The 2022 Avondhu success, due to regrading, lifted them up a grade. 

“Underage success is a huge factor,” Lenahan said. 

“Before we got up in 2022, we’d struggled in finals before that. Injuries were a downside too. But in 2022 we got a good structure together and got everyone onto the pitch.

“We’ve a good balance now. A lot of us are at the right age, and we’ve a few young players coming through. 

"The U21s are really important for us. And Ian Ryan, our coach — he took us to the next level when he came in. Joey Hanlon our manager has been brilliant also.” 

This year’s league campaign continued that upward curve. Buttevant didn’t just compete in Division 4 — they won it, beating Glanmire in the final in Glenville.

“We take the league very seriously. Why wouldn’t you? It’s so competitive. You can’t flick a switch and say you’ll come right for championship. You need to be firing all the time.” 

Now the focus shifts to the McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC — and Buttevant have landed in one of the toughest groups.

First up is Glanworth on Friday in Kildorrery at 7.15pm, a local derby with plenty of history and no shortage of bite. Then come Kilmurry and Ilen Rovers. 

“It’s a difficult group,” Lenahan says.

“Glanworth have loads of experience. We’ve played them a lot over the years. We know what we’re going to get from Kilmurry and Ilen Rovers were beaten finalists last year. It’s going to be tricky.

“The championship is a different ball game. First round is always tricky. We know what Glanworth are like, we know the players they have. It’ll be a serious test.”