Brilliant Buttevant hit five two-pointers in cracker with Ilen Rovers
Ilen Rovers' Damien O'Sullivan protects his net against Buttevant’s Billy O'Riordan. Picture: Chani Anderson
Heading into this high-stakes McCarthy Insurance Group Cork IAFC encounter, the objective was clear and simple for Ilen Rovers and Buttevant… to do whatever it takes to keep their championship dreams alive.
At the conclusion of a compelling encounter in Carrigadrohid, it was Buttevent who prevailed after an impressive second-half display, digging deep into the well of their stern resolve.
The 2025 Premier Junior champions Buttevent have built huge momentum in recent years and now look forward to an IAFC quarter-final meeting against Mitchelstown.
Ilen Rovers settled quicker in the opening half and led 0-6 to 0-0 after 20 minutes. Aidan Fahy opened the scoring with a pair of fine points. This was to be followed by a lovely Ilen Rovers move, which saw Adrian O’Driscoll tee up his namesake Peter, who duly converted a sweetly taken two-pointer.
Buttevant then got a much-needed score on the board through a Mark Lenahan point from play, with the same man splitting the posts again moments later, with Sean Madigan also slotting over a point.
A beautiful Dermot Hegarty point was the icing on what was a very productive opening half from Ilen Rovers, who held the advantage at half-time at 0-8 to 0-3.
Buttevent gradually motored their way up through the gears, with a David Hanlon two-pointer early in the second half a signal of their intent.
Two Ilen Rovers points from Aaron O'Sullivan and Sean Connolly though saw them lead 0-10 to 0-6 after 40 minutes.
Another Buttevent two-pointer from Conor Hanlon then reduced the gap down to two points, before Ilen Rovers ensured they held a three-point advantage at the midway stage of the second half when O’Driscoll slotted over.
Buttevent though were men on a mission. Two further orange flags from Mark Lenahan and Conor Hanlon meant that these two sides were level at 0-12 apiece after 50 minutes.
Ilen Rovers responded again to edge two points ahead, including another well-taken Peter O’Driscoll score.
Time and again, Buttevent found the right answers. A Conor Hanlon point and a sweetly taken two-pointer from David Hanlon saw the Avondhu side edge into the lead at 0-15 to 0-14 with five minutes remaining.
The Buttevent attacking tails were now up. With the game in stoppage time, Mark Lenahan danced his way through the Ilen Rovers defence before converting with a low finish to the net.
There was still time for a final Buttevent score as Conor Hanlon split the posts, to seal the deal for his side as remain involved at the business end of the championship campaign.
M Lenahan 1-4 (1 2pt), D Hanlon (1 2pt, 1 2ptf), C Hanlon (2 2pts) 0-6 each, S Madigan 0-1.
P O’Driscoll 0-4 (1 2pt), A O’Driscoll 0-3 (0-1f), A Fahy, S Connolly 0-2 each, D Hegarty, A O’Sullivan, S Minihane, A Holland 0-1 each.
R Donovan; M Walsh, J Whelan, B O’Riordan; A Horgan, A Trimm, K Crowley; K Sheehan, K Lenahan; M Lenahan, D Hanlon, D Ryan; C Hanlon, S Madigan, T O’Connell.
K Bowles for Horgan (28), D Walsh for Ryan (50), R Fowley for Madigan (51).
D O’Sullivan; D Coakley, J Collins, S Carey; P Collins, D Hegarty, A O’Sullivan; S Minihane, P O’Driscoll; K O’Driscoll, S Connolly, A O’Driscoll; P O’Driscoll, M Sheehy, A Fahy.
C O’Driscoll for P Collins (34), D O’Driscoll for K O’Driscoll (41), D O’Donovan for Carey (46), A Holland for Fahy (53).
Brian Coniry(Crosshaven).
App?
