Justin Oke grateful to be back as Carrigtwohill target county title

Few players have made as significant an impact on this year's Co-Op SuperStores SAHC as Justin Oke.

After enduring a frustrating spell on the sidelines through injury, the Carrigtwohill player has returned at just the right time, playing a pivotal role in his side's run to Sunday's county final against fellow Imokilly outfit Erin's Own at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (4pm).

Oke's introduction from the bench proved crucial in Carrigtwohill's dramatic quarter-final victory over Na Piarsaigh, a contest ultimately settled by penalties.

He followed that up with another influential display in the semi-final against Blarney as Carrig produced arguably their best performance of the campaign to secure a place in the decider. 

Oke's influential display against Na Piarsaigh in September earned him the 96FM/C103 Sports Star Award for the month, sponsored by the Rochestown Park Hotel. 

Having worked so hard to get back to full fitness, he's simply delighted to be contributing again.

"It has been tough physically with a few injuries," he admitted. 

"To be back now and involved in a county final is brilliant.

"The Na Piarsaigh game was a tough, tough battle. You always know what Na Piarsaigh will bring. It was one of those matches that could have gone either way and we were lucky enough to come out on the right side of it."

While penalties remain a divisive way of deciding championship ties, Oke acknowledges Carrigtwohill took immense confidence from emerging victorious.

"Sometimes I don't know what to think about penalties," he said with a laugh. 

"But thanks be to God we're in the final. Winning a game like that gave us another drive going into the semi-final.

"We were getting through games without probably performing at our best, but we always showed great character and great heart. That's what this team is about.

"We always felt that if we could click for a full game, we'd be capable of producing something special. Thankfully it happened for us against Blarney."

Many observers regarded Blarney as one of the championship favourites, making Carrigtwohill's semi-final display all the more impressive. Oke certainly feels it was their most complete performance of the year.

"I'd definitely say it was our best performance," he says. 

"Everything came together on the day and it showed what we're capable of."

A key figure behind Carrigtwohill's recent progress has been coach Johnny Dwyer. While Denis Walsh is manager, Oke has no hesitation in highlighting Dwyer's importance to the group's development.

"Johnny has been class," he states. 

"I wouldn't change him for the world. He's done wonderful things for our team.

"When you look at it, we reached the semi-final in 2025 and now we've got to a final. That's a huge achievement and Johnny deserves enormous credit."

Standing between Carrigtwohill and a first county title at this grade are Erin's Own, who were operating at Premier Senior level last season and have impressed throughout the championship.

"You don't often get opportunities to play in county finals. 

"We're all looking forward to it. We're training hard and hopefully we can take our chance.

"It's a local derby as well, which adds another dimension. We know each other well but we're mainly focused on ourselves. 

"If we can do what we're capable of doing and get a little bit of luck along the way, hopefully things will go our way."

Carrigtwohill's run has been made all the more impressive by the absence of prolific forward Seán Walsh through injury.

"You feel very bad for him. He's been shooting the lights out for us for years. When a player like that is missing, everyone else has to contribute more.

"He's a huge motivation for us. We'd love to win it for him."