No rest for Aghabullogue with hurling and Uibh Laoire around the corner

Another derby awaits against Uibh Laoire in the final. It comes 12 months after they were denied by Kilshannig following a replay.

Sun, 12 Oct, 2025 - 18:08

Therese O’Callaghan

Cork Premier IFC: Aghabullogue 2-11 (2-2-7) Naomh Abán 0-15 (0-1-13)

Aghabullogue keep battling on both fronts.

In football and hurling, county finals are drawing near. In the Castle Grounds in Macroom on Saturday, they negotiated a Cork Premier IFC derby with Naomh Abán.

Another derby awaits against Uibh Laoire in the final. It comes 12 months after they were denied by Kilshannig following a replay.

Ray Keane steers the football ship.

“That is the nature of these lads,” he says. “I can guarantee you there will be three of four of these lads out tomorrow playing soccer as well. And then they will play the hurling next week. They will go on the tear Saturday night and on Sunday, win or lose, and we’ll try and knuckle down then for a final. It is just bonkers to everyone else. They are as honest a bunch as you would meet anywhere in the country, I can guarantee you that.”

A good case in point is captain John Corkery, who is battling injury.

“What people don’t realise is what John has done to get in this position to even play today. Most people would have thought he was gone for the year. He’ll probably do everything he can now to make the hurling. And we’ll be hoping they will all come through it. Look, I can’t speak highly enough of John and highly enough about the players.”

First-half goals from Luke Casey built a solid foundation. The first arrived in the 11th minute and was set up by Pauric O’Sullivan and Matthew Bradley.

Bradley was the provider for the second goal on the stroke of half time after his perfectly judged long delivery was fetched by Casey, it put them 2-5 to 0-8 up at the break.

It got better for Aghabullogue. They would lead by two clear goals.

Naomh Abán got a new lease of life in the fourth quarter.

A Caoimhín Ó Dunnchú point, set up by Ed Ó Mír, helped them regroup. Ó Mír converted a free to cut the deficit to four.

A brilliant two-pointer free from Evan O’Sullivan interrupted their run.

They bounced back once more through Micheál Ó Liatháin (2) and Ó Mír, 2-11 to 0-14.

Aghabullogue were put to the pin of their collar when Dónal Ó Ceallaigh pointed in stoppage.

Less than a week after his wife’s funeral, Dhani Merrick was introduced to calm the waters. He was given a heartfelt welcome.

“We’re only thrilled that he is here because he is a huge part of what we’ve done since I, Enda (Kiernan), Denis (Finnegan) and Mike (Golden) came in. He messaged me during the week to see if it was alright to come training. That says enough about the man. He is just a great, great, great man.

"The players and the community will all knuckle down and they will all be around him. And he will need them. It is dark at the moment and it is tough for him. As I said to the lads three weeks ago before we played Kiskeam, if we can give him any bit of light, and they keep doing it.

"If this can bring some deflection for Dhani, then great.”

Hurling will take centre stage next weekend against Bandon in the IAHC final.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: L Casey (2-0), M Bradley (0-6, 0-1f 2pt, 0-1 free), E O’Sullivan (0-2f, 2pt), A O’Sullivan, J Corkery and P Ring (0-1 each).

Scorers for Naomh Abán: E Ó Mír (0-4, 0-2 frees), M Ó Duinnín (0-3 frees, 0-1 2pt), D Ó Laoire and M Ó Liatháin (0-2 each), D Ó Ceocháin D Ó Ceallaigh, A Ó Luasa and C Ó Donnchú (0-1 each).

AGHABULLOGUE: J Buckley; T Long, C Smyth, P Dilworth; P Ring, S Tarrant, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, A Murphy; A O’Sullivan, J Corkery (Capt), P O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Subs: C O’Sullivan for P O’Sullivan (55), O O’Connell for A O’Sullivan (57), D Merrick for J Corkery (60).

NAOMH ABÁN: M Ó Donnchú; S (Jim) Hendy, C Ó Déasunaigh, C de Róiste; J Ó Donnchú, D (Mickey) Ó Loingsigh (Capt), É Ó Criodáin; S Ó Riordáin, C Ó Donnchú; A Ó Luasa, M Ó Duinnín, D Ó Ceocháin; D Ó Ceallaigh, D Ó Laoire, E Ó Mír.

Subs: M Ó Liatháin for M Ó Duinnín (43), C de hÍde for É Ó Criodáin (45), N Ó Ceallaigh for D Ó Ceocháin (49), W MacCarthaigh for C Ó Dunnchú (55), M Ó Criod for C de Róiste (63).

Referee: Liam O’Shea (Carbery Rangers).