Cork IAFC: Brilliant Buttevant beat Adrigole to book decider with Kilmurry
BALL IN HAND: Buttevant’s Billy O’Riordan chased by Adrigole’s Tom O’Connor. Pic Chani Anderson
After winning the Cork Premier Junior Football Championship crown in 2025, Buttevant are now only 60 minutes away from repeating the exact same feat at Intermediate A level.
Joey Hanlon’s side booked their place in the Cork IAFC decider following what was a compelling battle with Adrigole.
This was a composed and slick Buttevant performance, one which showcased why they have been a side tipped to win the Cork IAFC grade since the very start of the campaign.
Awaiting in the final for Buttevant in a few weeks time will be Kilmurry. That should be an absolutely mouthwatering encounter to say the very least.
Adrigole, appearing at the semi final stages in the Cork IAFC for the fourth year in a row, showcased their enormous hunger to finally make the breakthrough to county final day at this grade. Buttevant however are riding the crest of a wave in recent years and it seems they have no intent on stopping.
It was Adrigole who opened the scoring with early points from Cian O’Shea and a monster Ben O’Sullivan score. Buttevant gradually got into the groove and they led 0-7 to 0-4 on 25 minutes.
David Hanlon got a lovely two pointer, with Mark Lenahan also proving why he is a potent Buttevant scoring weapon.
Adrigole responded with David Harrington putting the finishing touches to a lovely passing move with a two pointer from play, with this evenly contested opening half making for captivating viewing.
In first half stoppage time, Adrigole edged ahead when Tom O’Connor impressively finished with a rocket to the back of the net.
The sides went in level at half to at 1-6 to 0-9, with Aaron Horgan splitting the posts just before the break.
Scores by the ever reliable duo of Mark Lenahan and David Hanlon edged Buttevant back into the lead early in the second half.
But Adrigole came back yet again on 40 minutes. After an attempt at a point by Cian O’Shea landed around the goalmouth, on hand to fist the ball home from close range was Neil O’Sullivan.
Buttevant responded through scores from Tadgh O’Connell and Mark Lenahan. But this game was still very much in the melting pot on 45 minutes, as an Adrigole two pointer from Charlie O’Sullivan saw the sides level at 2-8 to 0-14.
As good champions do, Buttevant charged away and found a way to win when it mattered most.
They got the next five scores in a row as Mark Lenahan, David Hanlon and Conor Hanlon all impressively split the posts.
Buttevant then got another point through Ryan Fowley as they now held a five point advantage at 0-19 to 2-8 on 53 minutes.
An Adrigole two pointer from Tom O’Connor meant that there were just three points between the sides heading into second half stoppage time.
Buttevant kept their composure and managed to see the game out to a successful conclusion.
All eyes now for Buttevant will be on their familiar foes in Kilmurry, in what should be a cracking conclusion to the 2026 Cork IAFC.
Super Valu Páirc Uí Chaoimh has become familiar territory. Buttevant have been here before and they will be fully determined to become county champions once again.
M Lenahan 0-8, D Hanlon 0-5 (1 2pt, 0-1f), A Trimm, K Sheehan, C Hanlon, A Horgan, T O’Connell, R Fowley 0-1 each.
T O’Connor 1-2 (1 2pt), N O’Sullivan 1-0, C O’Shea 0-3 (0-2f), C O’Sullivan (1 2pt), D Harrington (1 2pt) 0-2 each, B O’Sullivan 0-1.
R Donovan; K Crowley, M Walsh, B O’Riordan; A Trimm, K Bowles, A Horgan; A O’Neill, K Lenahan; M Lenahan, D Hanlon, D Ryan; K Sheehan, C Hanlon, T O’Connell.
D Walsh for Trimm (42), R Fowley for K Lenahan (43), S Madigan for Ryan (51), E O’Donoghue for Horgan (60).
W O’Sullivan; Daniel Harrington, F Carey, Darragh O’Sullivan; M Downing, S O’Shea, Cathal O’Sullivan; N O’Sullivan, T Sullivan; D Collins, T O’Connor, David Harrington; C O’Shea, G O’Shea, B O’Sullivan.
Diarmuid O’Sullivan for B O’Sullivan (15, inj), S O’Sullivan for T Sullivan (HT), L Harrington for Diarmuid O’Sullivan, Charlie O’Sullivan for Darragh O’Sullivan (both 42), J Crowley for W O’Sullivan (49).
Brian Coniry(Crosshaven).
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