Managers predict fierce contest as Kilmurry and Buttevant meet in IAFC final

There has been little to separate Kilmurry and Buttevant in recent seasons and both sides believe another tight contest is in store when they meet in Friday's McCarthy Insurance Group IAFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh (7.30pm).

The clubs are no strangers to one another, having met regularly in league and championship football, while Kilmurry also edged a dramatic group-stage encounter between the sides earlier this year.

For Buttevant, the opportunity to capture back-to-back county championships comes just 12 months after ending a 99-year wait for county football success when they claimed the Premier Junior title.

Manager Joey Hanlon believes that breakthrough victory has helped remove some of the pressure that had built around the club in recent years.

"There is certainly a bit of pressure gone off our backs because we were heavily tipped to win the Premier Junior for a number of years and we didn't get over the line," he said.

"I can really see it in the lads this year. There is definitely a weight off their shoulders."

Rather than merely survive at a higher grade, Buttevant quickly showed they belonged in Intermediate A football. 

Promotion from Division 4 was secured alongside a place in the county final, while championship victories over top teams, Ilen Rovers, Mitchelstown and Adrigole demonstrated their growing maturity.

Hanlon believes those tests have hardened his side.

"We've beaten some really established teams," he says.

"That Mitchelstown game was more of an occasion than a game. There was a huge crowd, it was a local rivalry and they are a big, physical side.

"Maybe we thought people gave us a chance beforehand, but when we won it, we realised afterwards that not many did. It was a huge victory for us."

Standing in their way, however, is a Kilmurry side full of confidence after an impressive campaign.

Manager Brian Harte expects another fiercely competitive encounter between two teams who know each other inside out.

"We had a great battle with Buttevant above in Kanturk and it could have gone either way," Harte said of their championship meeting earlier this year.

"We played them as well in the league and there was nothing between the two teams.

"We're well used to each other and every time the two teams meet there seems to be little more than a kick of a ball between us, so we know that on Friday night it's going to be another huge battle for us."

Kilmurry showed tremendous character to win that group-stage clash, recovering from a significant deficit to claim a one-point victory.

"We were seven points down at half-time and Buttevant kicked the first score of the second half to go eight up," Harte recalled.

"But to be fair to our lads, they rallied and we played a great second half.

"I think we confined Buttevant to two points in the second half and managed to come away with a one-point win."

The Kilmurry boss feels there is little to choose between the finalists and expects SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh to suit both teams.

"I think both Buttevant and ourselves are very similar," he says.

"I'd class us as two footballing teams with lots of pace in the team and I think a wide-open pitch will suit both teams. 

"I don't think there's any advantage to either side from that point of view."

Both clubs have recent experience of big occasions and Harte does not expect the county final atmosphere to overwhelm either side.

"These nights in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh are huge and they're a great occasion for the club and the community. 

"We're really looking forward to it. I think everybody in the club is anticipating it and we're delighted to be there."

Hanlon, meanwhile, insists the prospect of claiming successive county titles provides all the motivation his side could need.

"We've got great support and it has really built up this week," he states.

"Winning back-to-back county titles, those are the standards we aspire to."