Cork Premier IFC: Aghabullogue continue winning run to reach knock-outs

Ilen Rovers have suffered two relegations in three years is staring down the barrel of another possible demotion.

KNOCK OUT PHASE: Aaron O'Sullivan for Ilen Rovers tackling John Corkery for Aghabullogue. Picture: Denis Boyle

McCarthy Insurance Cork GAA Premier IFC Group 1: Aghabullogue 1-10 Ilen Rovers 0-7

Aghabullogue’s acclimatisation to life in the PIFC continues unabated following victory over Ilen Rovers on Saturday.  The 2023 Intermediate A football champions promotion to a higher grade has seen the Muskerry club quickly adapt, overcoming Aghada and Ilen Rovers.

Momentum gained from last year’s county championship success, plus Uibh Laoire’s win over Aghada earlier in the day, means Aghabullogue are through to the Premier IFC knockout phase with a game to spare.

Contrastingly, an Ilen Rovers club that has suffered two relegations in three years is staring down the barrel of another possible demotion.

The west Cork side’s final Group one clash with fellow relegation contenders, Aghada, represents another must-win scenario for an intermediate panel decimated by emigration.

David Thompson’s free was the only score of a disappointing first ten minutes. Aghabullogue should have added to their total but Cialan O’Sullivan could only find the side-netting after breaking through.  Despite dominating possession, four wides didn’t help the leaders cause and Adrian O’Driscoll made them pay when his shot cannoned off the crossbar and over to level matters. Evan O’Sullivan restored Aghabullogue’s lead before John Corkery quickly extended it. Thompson fired another goal chance wide but Aghabullogue kept pressing and Evan O’Sullivan palmed to the net to make it 1-3 to 0-1 after 19 minutes.

Peter O’Driscoll pulled one back for an Ilen side growing as frustrated with repeated unforced turnovers as some decisions not going their way. Undeterred, Dan MacEoin floated over a cracker to leave a goal between the sides.  Luke Casey finished off a flowing move to cement Aghabullogue’s 1-4 to 0-3 interval lead.

Mac Eoin (free) and Matthew Bradley swapped points to begin the second period. David Thompson’s close-range free made it 1-6 to 0-4 soon after.

A forgettable third quarter, littered with turnovers and mistakes, saw neither side trouble the umpires. It was John Corkery who ended the drought and quickly followed by Luke Casey to make it a seven-point game. Dan MacEoin (free) reduced the deficit but Kevin O’Driscoll’s second yellow meant Ilen finished with 14 players.

Matthew Bradley and Evan O’Sullivan scores kept Rovers at arm’s length prior to a late MacEoin free. So, Aghabullogue march on while Ilen Rovers face a must-win final group game.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: E O’Sullivan 1-2, D Thompson (0-2 frees), J Corkery, L Casey, M Bradley 0-2 each.

Scorers for Ilen Rovers: D MacEoin 0-5 (0-3 frees), A O’Driscoll, Peter O’Driscoll 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: I O’Sullivan; C Smith, M Dennehy, P Dilworth; A O’Sullivan, T Long, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, D Merrick; C O’Sullivan, E O’Sullivan, J Corkery; M Bradley, D Thompson, L Casey.

Subs: P Ring for C O’Sullivan (46).

ILEN ROVERS: E Hourihane; S O’Shea, D Hegarty, S Carey; C O’Driscoll, J Collins, M Sheehy; K O’Driscoll, Peadar O’Driscoll; E O’Neill, Peter O’Driscoll, A O’Sullivan; B Collins, C Harrington, D MacEoin (captain).

Subs: A O’Driscoll for E O’Neill (8, inj), S Minihane for S Carey (ht), D O’Sullivan for C Harrington (46).

Referee: Jack Forbes (Dohenys).