League experience will stand to Cill na Martra, insists Ó Foirréidh

Cill na Martra’s new home is the McCarthy Insurance SAFC, probably the most entertaining and competitive of the Cork football championships.

Fri, 26 Jul, 2024 - 06:45

John Coleman

2023 was about as good as it gets for Cill na Martra’s Seán Ó Foirréidh.

After five years of trying, his side finally won the Cork PIFC after an epic battle with Bantry in the undisputed game of the year.

A Munster title followed – a rarity for Cork football clubs these days – and though they came up short against St Patrick’s, Cullyhanna of Armagh in the decider, the primary goals of the year had more than been met.

Ó Fóirréidh, a Gaeilge and PE teacher in Coláiste Mhuire, Buttevant, also tasted hurling success with Aghabullogue, but such is the relentless nature of modern life, he didn’t get too much time to think about it all.

“Yeah, it was a great year, by the time we finished up in Croke Park, the league was starting a few weeks later so we didn’t have too much time to dwell on it. Which is a good thing too because it was a huge disappointment for us in one sense.

"But when you do reflect back on it; what an achievement it was for such a small place to get up to Croke Park, one of the first Cork clubs in a long, long time playing in an All-Ireland final.

"So, there was positives in terms of that, but we’re now really looking forward to this year, starting with Kiskeam on Saturday night, but it was a fantastic year.”

Cill na Martra’s new home is the McCarthy Insurance SAFC, probably the most entertaining and competitive of the Cork football championships.

It’s a minefield, full of good teams with each group hosting at least two genuine potential champions. The Gaeltacht side will be going into it with their eyes wide open, however, as their league status has belied their championship one for a few years now.

Will that be a help?

“I think it will. We’ve been in Division 1 the last number of years and this year we finished in mid-table, but we were happy enough with that. We learned a lot last year and the number of years before that. We were always getting to the semi-final or quarterfinal stages (in the PIFC).

"Last year we finally got over the line with John Evans in charge, so I think that will stand to us too. We’re a lot more experienced, we’ve been there and that will help us on Saturday, hopefully.”

Kiskeam, a seasoned team at this level, are in the opposite corner on Saturday evening in Clondrohid, and the two sides know plenty about one another.

“We know that Kiskeam are a very physical team, they’re well able to keep the ball, they’ve some very good forwards capable of getting goals.

"We know that last year they defeated Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh in their last game and they were unlucky in their two games before that. We know that it’s going to be a huge test for us.

"They’ve been playing senior the last number of years, they’re very experienced, they’ve some very good players with Seán Meehan, obviously, being one of them. But look, we think that we’ve an alright chance against them.”

Success is always relative. Last year the goal was to win the PIFC, but with the jump in grade, the measure of what constitutes a successful year needs to be re-assessed.

Success also brings change, and the men who guided Cill na Martra on their epic journey in 2023 have moved on, with a new and exciting group now at the helm.

“We’re definitely hoping to get out of the group, that’s our main target. We’ve Kiskeam, Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh, that’ll be a local derby (a massive one at that), and then we’ve Carrigaline in the third game, so a successful season for us? We’re definitely targeting getting out of the group, and look, who knows after that.

“We’ve a different management this year. John Evans is gone so we’ve Morgan O’Sullivan, Alan O’Regan, Noel O’Leary and Seán Kelleher stuck with us this year.

"It’s been good, the lads have brought in a good change, and we’re really, really enjoying it with them. In terms of the players, Colm Mac Lochlainn has gone to Australia, so he won’t be around, but we’ve everybody else from last year.”

Plenty of change, but they will still be the same. Tarraingíonn scéal scéal eile.