Classy Canovee push past Inniscarra to return to Premier Junior final on mission of atonement

Canovee 3-13 (3-2-9) Inniscarra 0-10 (0-1-8) 

Canovee made a strong statement of intent with a comprehensive 12-point Premier JFC semi-final victory over Inniscarra on Friday night.

They'll face Cobh or St Nick’s but will take some stopping in the decider. Playing with purpose from the outset, Canovee are back on the big stage, having fallen short in the semi-final last season and to neighbours Kilmurry in the 2024 final.

Inniscarra, with Cork hurler Sean O’Donoghue in their ranks, battled throughout but were unable to contain their Carrigadrohid-based opponents.

The sides traded early points, with Daniel Murphy and Liam O’Connor bringing their shooting boots for Inniscarra, with Canovee splitting the posts early on through Evan Dodd and Eoghan Lehane.

Canovee found the back of the net after 13 minutes. Daire McMahon did well to dash through the Inniscarra defence, before his low effort to the bottom corner evaded the grasp of Inniscarra netminder Dominic Kelleher. 

Kieran Cronin's side continued to grow in momentum, with a sweetly taken two-pointer from Evan Dodd seeing his side into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead. Canovee held a commanding 1-8 to 0-5 advantage at the break, with Jack Kelleher proving a reliable scoring weapon as he split the posts.

After 38 minutes, Canovee were awarded a penalty, which McMahon clinically dispatched to the bottom corner with a neat strike.

Inniscarra refused to give up and further scores by O’Connor kept their chances alive by the smallest of threads.

However, Canovee made it over the finishing line in style as they concluded the contest impressively. Jason Riordan chipped in on the point scoring act, as Canovee led 2-10 to 0-9 on 48 minutes.

Stephen Dornan landed over a point for Inniscarra, but at this juncture, it only proved to be nothing more than a consolation.

Heading into the final 10 minutes, Jack Kelleher provided a glimpse of the quality he can produce with a lovely score from distance.

A third goal arrived courtesy of a clinical close-range finish from Gavin Coleman which sealed the deal and ensured Canovee booked their place in the final in convincing fashion.

Canovee mean business and it will take a very good team to deny them lifting the Cork PJFC silverware in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Scorers for Canovee: J Kelleher 0-7 (1 2pt, 0-1 f, 0-1 45), D McMahon 2-0 (1-0 pen), G Coleman 1-0, E Dodd 0-3 (1 2pt), J Riordan 0-2 f, E Lehane 0-1.

Inniscarra: D Murphy (0-3f) 0-5, L O’Connor 0-4 (1 2pt, 0-1f), S Dornan 0-1.

CANOVEE: F Condon; P Buckley, L Kelleher, W Aherne; O O’Driscoll, R Delany, E Lehane; A Murphy, C O’Neill; C Dodd, E Dodd, J Moynihan; J Riordan, D McMahon, J Kelleher.

Subs: E McNabola for Moynihan (21 inj), G Coleman for McMahon (44), S O’Connor for O’Neill (52), E Cunningham for Aherne (54), C O’Driscoll for Dodd (58).

INNISCARRA: D Kelleher; L Ryan, J O’Callaghan, T Lyons; F Horgan, C Dineen, J O’Dwyer; D Coughlan, S Dornan; D Murphy, L O’Connor, S O’Donoghue; D O’Keeffe, D O’Connell, S Dineen.

Subs: P Holland for O’Connell (HT), C Herlihy for Horgan (35), J Hayes for Dineen (43).

Referee: Conor McCarthy (Carbery Rangers)