Michael Shields rolls back the years as IAFC and Premier JFC ignite on opening weekend

There was plenty of action in the lower grades of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Championship across the opening weekend, with both Intermediate A and Premier Junior throwing up lively contests.

A few teams signalled intent straight away, others were forced to grind out results, and several games went right to the wire.

In the IAFC, Buttevant opened Group 1 with a commanding 2-17 to 0-3 win over Glanworth, driven by a superb attacking performance from last year’s Premier JFC winners. 

Mark Lenahan was the game’s dominant figure, striking two second-half goals that killed the contest, while David Hanlon controlled the scoring throughout with an excellent eight-point return.

Kilmurry had four points to spare in a 2-12 to 1-11 win over Ilen Rovers. Two goals from marksman Ruadhán Ó Curraoín proved vital.

In Group 2, goals proved crucial in Mitchelstown’s 4-11 to 0-15 victory over Gabriel Rangers. Cork footballer Cathail O’Mahony was top scorer with 1-4, but the sight of him leaving the pitch with a hamstring injury was a disappointing note. Shane Beston, Ronan Murphy and Cormac Hyland also found the net.

St Finbarr’s second team made up for the first team losing to Carrigaline with an eye-catching 1-16 to 0-17 triumph over Dromtarriffe. 2010 All-Ireland winner Michael Shields rolled back the years with 0-5, while youngsters Cian O’Sullivan and Trevor Howe also caught the eye with 0-3 and 0-1 respectively. Denis O’Brien bagged the all-important goal.

Finally in this grade, the nearly men of recent years, Adrigole, saw off Bandon on a scoreline of 0-18 to 0-13 in Group 3. 

Cian O’Shea and Ben O’Sullivan combined for eleven points for the Beara outfit, while Charlie O’Sullivan was also prominent with 0-3. It’s a setback for Bandon, who are reeling after suffering PIFC relegation last year.

Boherbue had too much for Kildorrery, winning 2-16 to 3-8. The Duhallow side have no shortage of attacking talent and showed it here. David O’Connor was top scorer with 1-6, while John Corkery landed 0-5. Darragh Moynihan got the other goal, and Liam Moynihan and Gerry O’Sullivan did a lot of the unseen work while also chipping in with a point apiece.

Moving down to the always-exciting Premier JFC, this grade looks wide open this year with no clear favourite as teams look to follow Buttevant in climbing the ladder.

Starting with Group 1, it was a significant victory for Kinsale and manager Kevin Cahill as they put a difficult league campaign behind them to beat Millstreet 0-19 to 0-14. Michael Murphy, Brian Coughlan, Gearoid Finn and John O'Brien did the bulk of the scoring.

St Vincent’s struggles continue after IAFC relegation last year. They were without Blake Murphy in their 2-12 to 1-8 loss to Cullen. Luke Murphy was the main man for the winners.

In Group 2, Cobh edged Inniscarra 1-15 to 0-16. The decisive moment belonged to Diarmuid Kearney, who buried a late penalty to complete a 1-4 tally and seal Cobh’s victory despite a strong closing push from Inniscarra.

The other game in the group saw Glenville and Urhan share the spoils, 2-10 to 1-13. Glenville were thankful for Ciarán O’Leary’s 1-3 and Éanna Fitzgerald’s 1-2.

Canovee ran out 2-23 to 0-9 winners over St Nick’s in Group 3, fuelled by a brilliant attacking display. 

Conor Dodd was outstanding with a 10-point haul, including four two-pointers. Jack Kelleher kicked 1-4, while James Moynihan added a goal and a point in a powerful showing.

Kilmacabea are up and running as they look to build on winning the County JAFC in 2025. Led by former Cork player Damien Gore, they brushed aside Na Piarsaigh, 2-18 to 1-6.

MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS 

Premier SFC:

Group 1: Carrigaline 1-20 St Finbarr's 2-15; Douglas 4-10 Mallow 0-14.

Group 2: Newcestown 2-16 Nemo Rangers 1-13; Valley Rovers 1-7 St Michael's 1-5.

Group 3: Clonakilty 1-18 Knocknagree 0-13; Castlehaven 0-22 Ballincollig 3-10.

SAFC:

Group 1: Kanturk 1-19 Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh 0-11; Dohenys 2-13 Aghabullogue 1-16.

Group 2: Newmarket 0-26 O'Donovan Rossa 1-18; Cill na Martra 2-19 Carbery Rangers 0-22.

Group 3: Kilshannig 2-13 Clyda Rovers 2-11; Éire Óg 0-15 Bishopstown 1-11.

PIFC:

Group 1: Uibh Laoire 4-16 Glanmire 3-10; Rockchapel 0-17 Bantry Blues 1-12.

Group 2: Aghada 2-11 Kiskeam 1-14; Macroom 1-13 Castletownbere 1-13.

Group 3: Fermoy 0-20 Naomh Abán 1-16; Ballinora 1-17 Nemo Rangers 1-15.

IAFC: 

Group 1: Buttevant 2-17 Glanworth 0-3; Kilmurry 2-12 Ilen Rovers 1-11.

Group 2: Mitchelstown 4-11 Gabriel Rangers 0-15; St Finbarr’s 1-16 Dromtarriffe 0-17.

Group 3: Boherbue 2-16 Kildorrery 3-8; Adrigole 0-18 Bandon 0-13.

Premier JFC:

Group 1: Cullen 2-12 St Vincent's 1-8; Kinsale 0-19 Millstreet 0-14.

Group 2: Cobh 1-15 Inniscarra 0-16; Glenville 2-10 Urhan 1-13.

Group 3: Kilmacabea 2-18 Na Piarsaigh 1-6; Canovee 2-23 St Nick’s 0-9.