IAFC: Derbies galore with progression and survival on the line
Mark Lenahan of Buttevant on the move. Picture: Dan Linehan
The McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC heads into a key weekend with two quarter‑finals and a relegation play‑off to be played.
Friday night’s quarter‑final between Duhallow clubs Dromtarriffe and Boherbue in Ballydesmond brings together two sides who know each other well and who rarely produce anything other than full‑blooded contests.
Dromtarriffe arrive with confidence after a big win over Mitchelstown in their last outing, a game where they struck four goals and finished with 4-12.
Evan Murphy was the standout performer, hitting 2-4 and driving their attack with accuracy and pace. That type of scoring power gives Dromtarriffe a platform, and they will look to build on that momentum.
Boherbue, meanwhile, have their own motivation. They lost a final at this grade to Glanmire two years ago and have been pushing to get back to that level since. They will look to David O’Connor up front to lead their charge.
Saturday’s quarter‑final between Buttevant and Mitchelstown in Glanworth has the potential to be an absolute cracker. It’s an Avondhu derby, and both sides have shown enough across the campaign to suggest this could be one of the weekend’s standout games.
Buttevant have been one of the most upward‑moving teams, carrying confidence from recent seasons and showing they can mix physicality with scoring power.
The Hanlon brothers, Conor and David, will be key figures again, offering work‑rate, accuracy and leadership.
Mitchelstown arrive with pedigree and a strong spine. Denis Reen is in charge, and he has enjoyed success on Leeside as a manager.
Mitchelstown's Cork footballers, Cathail O’Mahony and Seán Walsh, will be central to their chances.
This tie has the potential to open up quickly, with both sides capable of producing quality football.
Sunday’s relegation play‑off between Glanworth and Kildorrery in Shanballymore should be close. It’s another local derby, and both sides have struggled for form this year.
Glanworth will look to former Cork U20 footballer Darragh O’Brien to get them over the line.
Kildorrery, meanwhile, will be looking to re‑energise themselves after a season that never fully settled. They have enough quality to cause problems, but inconsistency has hurt them.
Quarter-final: Dromtarriffe v Boherbue, Ballydesmond, 7.30pm.
Quarter-final: Buttevant v Mitchelstown, Glanworth, 3pm.
Relegation play-off: Glanworth v Kildorrery, Shanballymore, 3.30pm.
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