County final talking points: Bouncing back, impressing Cork selectors and dual demands
RISING AGAIN: Kanturk's Alan Walsh jumping over Colm O'Callaghan of Éire Óg after the throw-in of last year's Senior A clash at Macroom. Picture: Dan Linehan
Nemo Rangers delivered one of their sweetest ever counties last weekend, which is saying something, considering it was their 24th time collecting the Andy Scannell Cup.
It was their fifth final appearance in a row but they had lost the previous three. Dethroning the Barrs made it even more satisfying.
The week before, Ballincollig managed the same feat, atoning for their 2025 Premier Intermediate Hurling loss to Ballinhassig by overcoming Dungourney.
On Saturday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Bandon and Uibh Laoire find themselves in the same situation. Last year’s IAHC runners-up Bandon take on Aghada while it’s Uibh Laoire hoping to go one better against Kiskeam in the PIFC.
Interestingly, they both lost to double-winners Aghabullogue 12 months ago. And the Coachford outfit had actually been beaten by Kilshanning after a replay in the football decider in 2024.
Aghabullogue are experts at bouncing back. They lost the 2022 IAFC final, also to Kilshanning, but won it the following year. Their hurlers were Intermediate A champions in 2023, got relegated from the PIHC in ’24, and won the IAHC again in ’25.
So, do the trends point to Bandon and Uibh Laoire getting over the line this weekend?
In the group-stage era, eight hurling teams have made it back to finals the following year, but only three have been victorious: Ballincollig, Sars in the 2025 Premier SHC and Fr O’Neill’s in the 2022 SAHC.
It took Castlelyons a third appearance to get over the line at Premier Intermediate, but those weren’t consecutive, while last Friday, St Catherine’s lost their third Premier Junior final in four seasons.
Nemo got to unleash their redemption song, as did Mallow, St Micheal’s and Knocknagree at Senior A, and Kanturk and Aghabullogue at Premier Intermediate. Aghabullogue also delivered at Intermediate A and Kilmurry at Premier Junior.
It seemed a natural step last winter when Ben O’Connor recruited Niall O’Halloran to join his Cork set-up.
The Ballinhassig native had a very strong CV, steering Bandon, Éire Óg, Fr O’Neill’s and Lisgoold to counties, as well as working with the Cork minors in 2018. Unfortunately, their approaches to hurling didn’t gel which led to O’Halloran’s departure, but Bandon pounced to bring him back to bolster their prospects at Intermediate A.
Bandon were narrowly beaten in last year’s final by Aghabullogue and are slight favourites on Saturday against an Aghada side they edged out in the group meeting. The experienced Michael Cahalane, the Cork hurlers’ match-winner against Tipp in 2017, and Mark Sugrue will lead their charge, and they’ve stabilised after suffering two relegations this decade.
They actually fell three levels. They were beaten by Carrigtwohill by two points in 2019 when, if they’d reached the top-tier quarter-final, they’ve have been graded as Premier Senior instead of Senior A when Cork restructured.
Two weeks ago, former Cork coach Donal O’Rourke, in tandem with Cork S&C lead Ian Jones, guided Glen Rovers to glory, while outgoing selector Ronan Curran was the X-factor for Ballincollig.
In opposition to O’Halloran on Saturday will be ex-Cork selector Fergal 'Rasper' Condon, the Aghada native well versed to delivering in the Páirc with Imokilly.
There’s been no East Cork victor in the Cork hurling championships to date but that’ll change after the Senior A showdown between Erin’s Own and Carrigtwohill on Sunday.
Sars are the Caherlag side’s traditional rivals but Carrigtwohill border them on the other side. There was an Up for the Match fundraiser in aid of Marymount Hospice in O’Donoghue’s Bar, Knockraha with club legends like Brian Corcoran and Seanie Farrell.
A defeat to Inniscarra in the group opener left them under pressure but manager Denis Walsh and coach Johnny Dwyer steered them back on course before a penalty shootout quarter-final win over Na Piarsaigh and an exceptional display to eliminate Blarney.
Erin’s Own were relegated after a replay against Newtownshadrum but have gone about their business efficiently since, starting with promotion from Division 2 of the league. They’ve won all four championship games by six points plus.
Robbie O’Flynn is their spiritual leader but they’ve a strong core in their early 20s, including Oran O’Regan, an injury doubt, Peter O’Shea and Shane Irwin.
Kanturk’s hurling exploits this season really caught the imagination of the Cork public, as they took out Blackrock and Sars and fell short in a cracking semi-final against the Barrs.
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Their football campaign, at the grade below, hasn’t been as high-profile and they took a while to get going, drawing with Dohenys and Aghabullogue in the group, before taking out strong Kilshanning and Carbery Rangers sides. They’ve two starting Cork seniors, cousins Tommy and Paul Walsh, and a potent dual cohort, including Lorcán McLoughlin, Darren Browne, Alan and Colin Walsh.
They will be eager to emulate Newcestown in reaching the highest level in both as a rural club with a limited pick but Éire Óg are formidable opponents in Sunday’s Senior A final.
The Ovens crew have an interesting managerial combo, Eoin Fehily, who has a soccer background, working with Newcestown player Cartrach Keane, who is developing into a respected coach.
They’ve a powerful midfield combo in Darragh Clifford and Colm O’Callaghan, former Cork keeper Chris Kelly is between the posts, ex-Kerry full-back Mark Griffin in situ and Daniel Goulding still nailing the pressure frees at 40.
Kanturk might not get a trophy for their heroic efforts.
The Cork footballers have a new coach on board with Donegal native Gavin Gallaher, who enjoyed success with Castlehaven in recent years, replacing Kevin Murray. He'll work alongside Kevin Walsh and Jim O'Donoghue but Cork need a few new faces on the pitch as well as the sideline to cope with operating in Division 1 for the first time since 2016.
Murray's departure was a surprise, given how highly rated he was within the group and after a strong campaign, and there has been some concern about the number of players opting out voluntarily. Cathail O'Mahony, Eoghan McSweeney and Darragh Cashman have moved on, while the likes of Neil Lordan and Seán Powter departed the year before.
Are Cork too rigid with their team selections? John Cleary and his selectors have favoured stability in the league, which means fringe players can get frustrated.
On Friday night, Mark Lenehan, who regularly shoots the lights out for Buttevant, was in action against Kilmurry in the IAFC final. He could follow the same route as Chris Óg Jones. The Uibh Laoire dynamo, who will feature in the PIFC decider on Saturday against Kiskeam, was promoted after ripping it up for his club.
Grantas Bucinskas, who is only 23, has been the spearhead of the Kanturk attack to the tune of 4-25 as they reached the Senior A decider. In opposition is Cork U20 captain Darragh Clifford, who is integral to Éire Óg's cause on Sunday.
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