IAFC and Premier JFC wrap: Kilmurry fight back from eight down to stun Buttevant
Kilmurry's Joe McGinn in action against Buttevant in 2023. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
It was moving weekend in the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Championships with the second round of group games down for decision.
It was all to play for from Premier Senior down to Premier Junior, with teams looking to build on positive results first day out or respond to opening-round losses.
There’s no doubt Kilmurry were one of the stories of the weekend after their stunning IAFC Group 1 victory over Buttevant. The Muskerry men trailed by eight points to last year’s Premier JFC winners but came good to win 0-16 to 2-9. Denis O’Mullane, Rory Duggan, Joe McGinn and Tomás Collins came up with several vital scores.
It all means Kilmurry have booked their spot in the knockout stages with a game to spare.
It will be a shootout between Buttevant and Ilen Rovers, given both are on two points, to see who else progresses. Ilen Rovers, last season’s beaten finalists, were too good for Glanworth on a scoreline of 1-18 to 0-14. Micheál Sheehy and Adrian O’Driscoll each kicked 0-6, with Seán Minihane netting the goal.
In Group 2, it’s finely poised indeed. Mitchelstown lead the way with four points, with the latest victory coming against St Finbarr’s second team. They recovered from being down at half-time to win 1-19 to 0-14, with Cork footballer Seán Walsh on song, including some lovely two-pointers. Walsh ended up with 0-6, including two two-pointers, while Aaron O’Brien kicked 1-6.
Dromtarriffe are level with the Barrs on two points after a crazy back-and-forth encounter with Gabriel Rangers. The Duhallow men finished strongly to triumph 3-15 to 3-13. Evan Murphy landed 2-1, including a penalty, while Conor O’Callaghan, Andrew Healy and Tomás Howard also contributed in terms of point scoring. Darren O’Connor hit 1-1.
The nearly men of recent years, Adrigole, have booked their spot in the business end after a tense 0-12 to 0-11 victory over Boherbue, the team that beat Adrigole in the 2024 semi-final.
Cian O’Shea was the toast of Adrigole with the last four scores in a win that meant a lot to the Beara men as they made it two from two in Group 3. Charlie O’Sullivan’s two orange flags proved important.
Kildorrery have one point on the board after they drew with Bandon, who also got their first point.
Moving down to the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier JFC, Kinsale backed up their opening-day win over Millstreet with another impressive victory, this time over Cullen.
Kevin Cahill’s side won 1-16 to 0-10 in the end in this Group 1 fixture. The experienced Gearóid Finn played well with 1-3, with Michael Murphy landing 0-3. Youngster Noah Ryan chipped in with two nice white flags. They have now qualified.
In the other game, Millstreet got a badly needed win after a challenging number of years as they drew level with Cullen on two points. The Duhallow men, inspired by Cork footballer Darragh Cashman who hit 0-8, defeated St Vincent’s 3-17 to 1-15. Hugh Linehan hit 2-2, with Evan O’Sullivan scoring 1-1.
In Group 2, Cobh are top on three points, but they couldn’t shake off a resilient Glenville side in a 0-11 to 1-8 draw. Liam Foley’s last-gasp goal ensured Glenville drew for the second game on the trot.
Inniscarra are now level with them, though, after the team in blue and white eked out a 1-11 to 1-8 success over Urhan, with Liam O’Connor the main scorer for the Muskerry outfit.
Finally, Canovee and Kilmacabea drew 0-10 each in a lively Group 3 affair. Both sides are upwardly mobile with three points. Colin McCarthy was the main man for Kilmacabea.
Last year’s beaten finalists, St Nick’s, are on two points now. They were far too strong for out-of-sorts Na Piarsaigh in a one-sided city derby.
The Downey brothers, Robert and Eoin, were influential figures in a 6-12 to 2-5 triumph. Kieran Kelleher was top scorer with 2-1, with Jack O’Sullivan, Conor McCarthy, Rhys Dunne and Eoin Downey also getting on the goal-scoring act.
Group 1: St Finbarr's 3-16 Douglas 1-11; Carrigaline 0-16 Mallow 0-14.
Group 2: Valley Rovers 1-16 Newcestown 3-9; Nemo Rangers 1-21 St Michael's 2-10.
Group 3: Castlehaven 1-12 Clonakilty 1-12; Knocknagree 2-18 Ballincollig 0-13.
Group 1: Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh 2-15 Aghabullogue 1-14; Kanturk 2-10 Dohenys 1-13.
Group 2: Carbery Rangers 1-21 O’Donovan Rossa 2-9; Newmarket 0-15 Cill na Martra 1-11.
Group 3: Kilshannig 2-25 Bishopstown 0-13; Clyda Rovers-Éire Óg, postponed due to bereavement in Clyda Rovers.
Group 1: Uibh Laoire 3-18 Bantry Blues 2-12; Glanmire 0-13 Rockchapel 0-13.
Group 2: Macroom 1-13 Aghada 0-8; Kiskeam 1-19 Castletownbere 1-14.
Group 3: Nemo Rangers 4-13 Fermoy 3-10; Naomh Abán 3-12 Ballinora 2-12.
Group 1: Kilmurry 0-16 Buttevant 2-9; Ilen Rovers 1-18 Glanworth 0-14.
Group 2: Mitchelstown 1-19 St Finbarr’s 0-14; Dromtarriffe 3-15 Gabriel Rangers 3-13.
Group 3: Adrigole 0-12 Boherbue 0-11; Bandon 0-11 Kildorrery 1-8.
Group 1: Kinsale 1-16 Cullen 0-10; Millstreet 3-17 St Vincent’s 1-15.
Group 2: Cobh 0-11 Glenville 1-8; Inniscarra 1-11 Urhan 1-8.
Group 3: St Nick’s 6-12 Na Piarsaigh 2-5; Canovee 0-10 Kilmacabea 0-10.
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