Buttevant finish strong against Ilen Rovers to keep Cork IAFC dreams alive

Ilen Rovers‘ Damien O’ Sullivan protects his net against Buttevant’s Billy O’Riordan. Pic: Chani Anderson

McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Intermediate AFC: Buttevant 1-17 (1-5-7) Ilen Rovers 0-15 (0-1-13)

At the conclusion of a compelling encounter in Carrigadrohid, it was Buttevant who prevailed after an impressive second half display to keep their McCarthy Insurance Group Cork IAFC dreams alive.

The 2025 Cork PJFC champions Buttevant are a side that have been growing gradually in momentum over recent years. The Avondhu side can now look forward to a Cork IAFC quarter final meeting against Mitchelstown.

It was Ilen Rovers that settled down much the quicker in the opening half and they led 0-6 to 0-0 after 20 minutes played. Aidan Fahy opened the scoring with a pair of pointed efforts.

This was to be followed by a lovely Ilen Rovers move, which saw Adrian O’Driscoll tee up his namesake Peter, who duly converted a sweetly taken two pointer.

Buttevant then got a much needed score on the board through a Mark Lenahan point from play, with the same man splitting the posts again moments later, with Sean Madigan also slotting over a point.

A beautiful Dermot Hegarty point was the icing on what was a very productive opening half from Ilen Rovers, who held the advantage at half time at 0-8 to 0-3.

Buttevant gradually motored their way up through the gears, with a David Hanlon two pointer early in the second half a signal of their intent.

Two Ilen Rovers points from Aaron O'Sullivan and Sean Connolly saw them lead 0-10 to 0-6 after 40 minutes.

Another Buttevant two pointer from Conor Hanlon then reduced the gap down to two points, before Ilen Rovers ensured they held a three point advantage at the midway stage of the second half when O’Driscoll slotted over.

Buttevant’s Ronan Donovan saves a shot at goal by Ilen Rovers‘ Jack Collins. Pic: Chani Anderson

Buttevant were men on a mission. Two further two pointers from Mark Lenahan and Conor Hanlon meant that these two sides were level at 0-12 apiece after 50 minutes.

Ilen Rovers responded again to edge two points ahead, including another well taken Peter O’Driscoll score.

Time and again Buttevant found the right answers. A Conor Hanlon point and a sweetly taken two pointer from David Hanlon saw the Avondhu  side edge into the lead at 0-15 to 0-14 with five minutes remaining.

The Buttevant attacking tails were now up. With the game into stoppage time, Mark Lenahan danced his way through the Ilen Rovers defence before finishing with a low net finish to the net.

There was still time for a final Buttevant score as Conor Hanlon split the posts, to seal the deal for his side as remain involved at the business end of the championship campaign.

Scorers for Buttevant: M Lenahan 1-4 (1 2pt), D Hanlon (1 2pt, 1 2ptf), C Hanlon (2 2pts) 0-6 each, S Madigan 0-1.

Scorers for Ilen Rovers: P O’Driscoll 0-4 (1 2pt), A O’Driscoll 0-3 (0-1f), A Fahy, S Connolly 0-2 each, D Hegarty, A O’Sullivan, S Minihane, A Holland 0-1 each.

BUTTEVANT: R Donovan; M Walsh, J Whelan, B O’Riordan; A Horgan, A Trimm, K Crowley; K Sheehan, K Lenahan; M Lenahan, D Hanlon, D Ryan; C Hanlon, S Madigan, T O’Connell.

Subs: K Bowles for Horgan (28), D Walsh for Ryan (50), R Fowley for Madigan (51).

ILEN ROVERS: D O’Sullivan; D Coakley, J Collins, S Carey; P Collins, D Hegarty, A O’Sullivan; S Minihane, P O’Driscoll; K O’Driscoll, S Connolly, A O’Driscoll; P O’Driscoll, M Sheehy, A Fahy.

Subs: C O’Driscoll for P Collins (34), D O’Driscoll for K O’Driscoll (41), D O’Donovan for Carey (46), A Holland for Fahy (53).

Referee: Brian Coniry(Crosshaven).