Cork PJFC: Buttevant book semi-final spot, Kinsale v Glenville abandoned

Buttevant's Mark Lenehan shoots and hits the crossbar during the Cork PJFC game against Urhan. Picture: David Creedon

Buttevant booked their place in the semi-finals of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork PJFC on Friday night, but it is not yet clear who will join them in the final four. That’s because the Group 2 game between Kinsale and Glenville in Páirc Uí Rinn was abandoned due to an injury to a Glenville player. 

What is certain is that Canovee and Kilmurry have qualified from Group 1, Urhan will join Buttevant in coming out of Group 2 while St James’ will face St Nick’s in the relegation playoff.

Canovee topped Group 1 and have a good chance of taking the second semi-final spot after they beat their fellow parishioners form Kilmurry by 2-8 to 0-9 in Macroom. Jack Kelleher was Canovee’s marquee player on the evening, as he kicked 1-5 for last year’s Junior A champions. James Moynihan had the other goal from the penalty spot while Joe McGinn and Liam Wall offered the most threat for Kilmurry up front.

Buttevant were the standout team of the opening two rounds, but they were given a fright in Ballincollig as they defeated Urhan by 3-7 to 1-12. Opening half goals from Conor Hanlon and Mark Lenehan had helped them to a 2-6 to 0-3 half time lead but Urhan dug in after half time as two points from Conchubhar Harrington helped them back to within five points. A David Hanlon goal seemed to have put Buttevant back in control but a late salvo from Urhan nearly saw them turn it around. Cillian O’Shea goaled, while points from Jamie O’Neill and Ciarán O’Sullivan left Urhan agonisingly short at the end.

However, that late show from Urhan was enough to give them second spot in Group 3 as they finished level on two points with Millstreet and St Nick’s, but crucially, the Beara men’s -3 score difference was the best of the bunch. Thus Millstreet’s 1-13 to 0-11 win over St Nick’s in Mourneabbey saved them from relegation. In a tight battle, 0-3 from Neil Flahive and James Lenihan were vital for Millstreet, but it was a late Pa Dineen goal that won them the game. That was despite Dean Brosnan kicking 0-3 off the bench for Nick’s and another good performance from Jamie Corkery.

St James are in the relegation playoff after they lost to Cobh by 2-10 to 1-6 in Ovens. Joseph O’Sullivan and Frank Hayes were the West Cork side’s top scorers with 0-4 and 1-1 respectively. Darragh Heelan and Jack Ronan had the goals for Cobh, and it gave them the win they needed to give themselves a chance of progression, but Canovee’s win put paid to their ambitions for another season.

It leaves it all to play for in Group 2. Glenville looked most likely to join Kinsale on four points as they led Kinsale by 1-8 to 1-3 just after half time. Michael McCarthy had the goal for Kinsale, while 0-4 from Josh Cooke and 1-1 from Colin O’Keeffe had Glenville in control. They will have to do it again, however.

It now gives Ballydesmond an outside chance of qualifying after they beat Cullen by 1-11 to 0-9 in Glantane. Donncha O’Connor had 1-8 for Ballydesmond, Luke Murphy kicked 0-6 for Cullen while Ballydesmond now need an eight-point win for Kinsale if they are to make it out of the group.