Righting some wrong and honouring a lost friend: how double-chasing Aghabullogue bounced off the canvass

Aghabullogue players Breandán O'Sullivan and Colm Gillespie celebrate after defeating Uibh Laoire in the Cork Premier IFC final at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

How do you regroup after crushing disappointment? Aghabullogue are the perfect example of bouncing back stronger. Exactly 12 months ago, they were defeated in the Cork Premier IFC final by Kilshannig after a replay. They were also plunged into a Premier IHC relegation play-off, which they also lost, after a replay.

Fast forward to Sunday. Aghabullogue crowned Premier intermediate football champions. That’s just for a start, there is more yet to come.

“I’m most proud of the way we came back after last year,” Aghabullogue captain John Corkery said. “It is easy to say you are going to come back and reset straight away but you have to go back in January and you have to put the work in. Get yourself into condition because the rest of the teams are chasing you. So, to come back and get to the final and beat such a strong team, I’m just so proud of that.

“It will take a while to sink in. I never thought I’d play senior. I played senior with Muskerry, but senior with Aghabullogue is special. 1913 was the last time Aghabullogue were senior. I stand to be corrected, but I did a bit of research, it is definitely in the 1910s and it was senior hurling at the time. It is a privilege to get us back up there, I am delighted.” 

Because of the victory, next Sunday’s Cork IAHC final is postponed to November 16th.

“We lost the Premier intermediate hurling final relegation last year and that was a very disappointing end of the year for us, that was in December. We came back late January. We have to right that wrong (IAHC final) whenever, and hopefully we will do that.

“We will enjoy today and tomorrow, you have to. We will knuckle down again on Tuesday and get back into it. We will treat Munster club (away to Thurles Sarsfields in Templetuohy on Sunday) with respect, we will have one eye on the hurling. I won’t lie, that is probably going to be our important target at this stage.” 

The first half of the double is complete, Aghabullogue’s second green flag was one of the key factors in the 38th minute that saw them regain the lead, 2-8 to 2-7, and it was scored by the captain himself.

“It gave us a bit of life when we needed it. We were on top in the first half but we missed a lot of chances. But Uibh Laoire are a good side, they were always going to come back at us. We said there was only going to be one score in this match and it came down to the final whistle and maybe we were prepared for that. Matthew (Bradley) does that all the time. He did it in the hurling final two years ago. That’s what he is built for.” 

On-field and off-field, Aghabullogue keep fighting on two fronts.

“There is just a great group of players there, we love being around each other. We do everything together. We go for coffee, we go for dinner, go out for a pint when you get the chance. It is just all we know, it’s just all we do since fellas grew up. There is a core group of players that came through at the same time, a golden generation maybe. It doesn’t last forever and we are trying to get every drop out of it.” 

The success was also a tribute to the late Kerry Corcoran, wife of corner-back Dhani Merrick.

“Dhani, our best friend. He is powerful. What he has been through over the last two years nobody will understand it only him and maybe the people close to him. We are delighted to honour Kerry, his family and his young daughter Maya. It gives him some bit of happiness at such a tough time. We will be there for him. We were remembering Kerry today.”