Ballydesmond to test Castlemagner's bid for fourth Duhallow JAFC in a row

A keenly-contested Ashgrove Renewables Duhallow JAFC Final looks in prospect between holders Castlemagner and Ballydesmond at Newmarket on Saturday. 

The clash is loaded with intrigue. Castlemagner, on nine titles, are seeking a four-in-a-row while Ballydesmond return to the division after being relegated from Cork County Premier Junior ranks last season.

Despite hotly competitive semi-finals, the two unbeaten and in-form teams have progressed to a decider that offers the prospect of an enthralling decider.

From this season’s campaign, Castlemagner began on a promising note, utilising all their experience to pull away from both Knocknagree and Lyre in the preliminary series.  Much tighter in a semi-final, Castlemagner required extra time to see off Lismire, following a stalemate hour, the reigning holders turned the screw in extra time and capitalised on possession to secure the all-important win to reach their fourth consecutive decider.

Team selection sees goalkeeper Trevor McAulliffe fronted by team captain Daniel Murphy, Conor Murphy and Tadgh Fitzmaurice with Barry O’Driscoll linking up with Conor O’Sullivan at midfield. Up front, Cormac O’Sullivan, Danny Linehan and Max O’Sullivan can claim high returns.

Ballydesmond operated with an intensity and purpose that proved all too much for a less experienced Lismire in the opening round.  And a polished Ballydesmond combination turned the power to record a comfortable victory over Kilbrin before a clinical opening allowed Ballydesmond secure a comfortable victory over Kanturk.

In the semi-final, they required late points to secure a narrow victory over a battling Lyre that might well have won the day.

The Ballydesmond starting line-up features keeper Denis Ring with Donal Kelly, Danny O’Callaghan and Damien O’Sullivan anchors in defence. 

At midfield, Shane Kelly and Kevin O’Connell are capable of creating an impact with the experienced Donncha O’Connor, Niall Fleming and team captain Paudie Breen holding a strong presence in attack.

Such was the closeness and the drama in the respective semi-finals, there might well have been two different sides in this final.  When it mattered, the pairing of Castlemagner and Ballydesmond came through.

Challengers Ballydesmond have endured a barren 19 years without silverware. 

No surprise, given Castlemagner’s supremacy and experience gained over the past three campaigns, they are entitled to fancy their chances of landing a four in a row last achieved by Boherbue in 2020.

However, Ballydesmond are beyond anything that Castlemagner have encountered all season and it makes for an intriguing battle.

FIXTURES:

SATURDAY

Ashgrove Renewables JBFC semi-final: Rockchapel v St. John’s, Boherbue, 2.30pm.

Ashgrove Renewables JAFC final: Ballydesmond v Castlemagner, Newmarket, 4.30pm 

SUNDAY:

Ashgrove Renewables JBFC semi final Newmarket v Dromtarriffe, Kilbrin 12 noon