Glen Rovers and Kilbrittain face off after taking quickest route to final

The sides' showdown kicks off Cork club hurling's biggest weekend.

Philip Wall, Kilbrittain and Ben Murphy, Glen Rovers ahead of the Co Op Superstores 2025 Premier Junior Hurling Championship Final, at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The two teams that secured automatic semi-final spots in the Co-Op Superstores Cork Premier JHC, Glen Rovers and Kilbrittain, have made it through to the final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh tonight, 7.30pm.

And both clubs are coming off similar last-four wins, with each requiring late goals to seal their passage to the decider, in contests where panel depth was key too.

Glen Rovers emerged with two points to spare over Cloughduv following a see-saw battle with the mid Cork side. Substitute Dylan Long grabbed the all-important goal towards the end of regulation and it proved to be the only goal of the game.

The Blackpool outfit had come through their group stages unbeaten, recording victories over St Catherine’s and Meelin, while they drew with St Finbarr’s.

In their penultimate round, Kilbrittain survived a close encounter with Ballygarvan, when they also recorded a narrow two-point victory. They needed a late goal from substitute Conor Ustianowski three minutes from time to give them some breathing space. There was just one green flag in this match as well.

The west Cork side won all three of their group games, getting the better of Cloughduv, Nemo Rangers and Barryroe.

The last time Glen Rovers and Kilbrittain met in this championship, the outcome had to be decided by penalties after the teams finished level in extra-time. The Glen goalkeeper Ben Heffernan was the hero that day two years ago when he saved three penalties and went on to score the winning penalty. Overall, they won 3-0 on penalties. But they were then defeated by St Catherine’s in the semi-final.

Since this grade was introduced in 2022 as part of restructuring, Glen Rovers and Kilbrittain have been there or thereabouts.

In the first year of the competition, Kilbrittain went all the way to the semi-final, and were only overtaken after an extra-time epic with Tracton.

Last season Glen Rovers were knocked out by Nemo Rangers in the quarter-final, while Kilbrittain were eliminated at the group stage.

Regardless of the result tonight, Kilbrittain will progress to the Munster club championship as Glen Rovers, being their second team, are not allowed to participate. Kilbrittain have received a bye to the semi-final where they will come up against either Kenmare Shamrocks or the Limerick representatives (Doon or Knockaderry) on November 15.

Tonight’s showdown on Leeside is the start of a huge weekend of Cork hurling finals in all five grades.

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