End of a long year but Canovee all out to make it memorable

“THANK God for the backdoor system. Whoever came up with the idea deserves a medal. If it wasn’t there we would not be where we are now”, said Canovee manager Michael Ring.

The Mid Cork side play O’Callaghan’s Mills in Askeaton on Sunday in the final of the Munster Club JFC, but it could have been all so different were it not for the backdoor system, as they were beaten in the opening round of the divisional championship by Aghinagh.

The similarities between Sunday’s opponents are uncanny. Both were beaten in their first-round games; hurling is very dominant in both clubs and both their hurling teams went out of the championship early, allowing them to concentrate on football.

According to Michael Ring, there has been a great tradition of football in the club going way back. “We top the roll of honour in the division with 16 junior titles; the club has won two counties in 1950 and 1968 and we won the intermediate title in 1973.”

Like all successful clubs Canovee have an excellent underage structure. The present team is built around a very successful minor team which won two county titles in the 1980s.

“This year we contested a minor county final again but lost it; our U21 footballers won the “B” championship and we have an excellent U15 team coming along. Winning the divisional and county titles this year are a massive boost to the club. Our primary objective at the start of the season was to win the Muskerry championship, but as you go you set your sights higher.

“This year has been something of a roller coaster for us when you consider how it began; Aghinagh beat us in the opening round in Muskerry but we regrouped and went on from there. The county semi-final against Ballydesmond was one of our best displays, but against Kildorrery in the final we were put to the pin of our collar to win that game. We then went into a Munster semi-final against Keel (Kerry) without a game after receiving a walk-over from the Waterford champions and we were a bit ring rusty in that game particularly in the first half.

“It looked to be going wrong for us when we fell nine points behind but credit to the lads they recovered well to win by a goal. People have been saying that we are a one man team and that if Pat Dunlea has an off day we are in trouble.

“Against Ballydesmond he was outstanding scoring 1-10. Things didn’t go too well for him in the county final but the other forwards stood up and were counted. There is great potential in our attack, and I’m hoping they can all put it together for this final.

“Canovee haven’t been down this particular road before. It’s been a long year since the January 25 when we first set out. We have prepared well for this final and it would round off a great season for the club if we could pull it off”.