Canovee and Mayfield set to meet in Junior A decider

RISING HIGHEST: Joey Gibson wins the ball in the air for Mayfield in the Bon Secours Junior A Championship semi final; Ballygarvan vs Mayfield at Pairc Ui Rinn. Pic: Larry Cummins

Muskerry champions Canovee will meet Seandún victors Mayfield in this year's Cork County Junior A football championship final.

Both sides came out on the right side of their respective semi-final tussles with Castlemagner and Ballygarvan on Sunday to book their decider berths. 

Canovee put four goals past Castlemagner - who were aiming to put an end to their 71-year wait for a Cork County JAFC title - in the Páirc Uí Rinn opener on Sunday.

Canovee's early goals - scored by Brian McNabola, who was later given his marching orders, and Conor O'Neill - proved too much to overcome in a game that saw two men see red, as Castlemagner found it tough to generate opportunities.

O'Neill added a further goal for his side before a Pádraig O'Leary green flag wrapped up proceedings for Canovee.

Jack Kelleher was in fine form for the Muskerry side, scoring eight points, six of which came from play.

Later in the day at the same venue, Mayfield overcame Ballygarvan on a scoreline of 3-11 to 2-13 to advance to the Junior showpiece, thanks to Nicky Kelly's 64th-minute winner.

With 15 minutes remaining, Mayfield were six points up and cruising to victory, but Ballygarvan were not done yet.

A late Niall Dowd goal coupled with a trio of points helped the Carrigdhoun outfit draw level at the end of regulation time.

Added time proved to be Mayfield's time to shine, however. 

After the city side forced a turnover, the aforementioned Kelly - scorer of 1-2 on the day - was able to tap over from close range to seal the victory.