Cork Premier IFC final replay: Kilshannig take title against Aghabullogue second time around

Kilshannig 2-10

Aghabullogue 1-9

Having been fortunate enough with two injury time points to finish in stalemate the previous weekend, Kilshannig made no mistake at the second time of asking with their meeting against Aghabullogue in the McCarthy Insurances County Premier IFC final replay at Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday last when they emerged deserving winners in the end by a four point margin.

Whilst Aghabullogue were the better team eight days ago it was the Avondhu side that shaded matters on this occasion and helped by two quick fire goals during the opening half by Eanna O'Hanlon and Diarmuid O'Sullivan it gave them a platform to build on for the remainder of the game as they went on to claim their second Intermediate title in the space of three years and they move up to Senior A FC ranks for the 2025 season.

The opening stages saw the winners get the scoring underway from the throw in when a good solo run by the hugely impressive and team captain Colm O'Shea set up Eanna O'Hanlon for a point. Like the drawn encounter Kilshannig did well again during the early stages with Eanna O'Hanlon causing many problems on the edge of the square creating two goal scoring opportunities with one going narrowly wide while the other effort was intercepted by an Aghabullogue defender to safety.

Aghabullogue got their account up and running when Matthew Bradley pointed a free and they moved in front in the eight minute when Bradley picked out Adam Murphy who pointed from distance. The sides were level for the second time when Colm O'Shea pointed but at this stage the sharper Kilshannig side began to make headway.

In the 10th minute a quick pass by Darragh O'Sullivan set up Alan O'Connell who pointed and this was followed by two goals in as many minutes that helped open up a sizeable advantage.

The first goal came when Ciaran O'Sullivan won possession from an Aghabullogue kick-out and he linked up well with Darragh O'Sullivan and Killian O'Hanlon to release Eanna O'Hanlon who dispatched to the net. In their next attack Darragh O'Sullivan's effort for a point from out near the side line came back off the upright with Diarmuid O'Sullivan first to react as he finished the rebound to the net that moved them 2-3 to 0-2 clear.

Aghabullogue regrouped well from this set back and in the 13th minute they had a goal when John Corkery and Evan O'Sullivan combined well with Luke Casey who finished to the net from close range. The Mid Cork side battled hard in this half but it was Kilshannig that went toe to toe as they held a lead they would not relinquish. Darragh O'Sullivan and Aaron O'Sullivan traded a point by the 19th minute. The next score came five minutes later when Eanna O'Hanlon pointed a free.

Aghabullogue responded when a great solo run out of the half backline by Padraig O'Sullivan placed John Corkery who kicked a fine point. The physically stronger Kilshannig outfit continued to set the pace. Darragh O'Sullivan had a point from a 'mark' with O'Sullivan getting the last score of the half in stoppage time after the O'Hanlon brothers and Alan O'Connell worked well as they were full value for their 2-7 to 1-4 interval lead.

For the second half Aghabullogue started in a very determined manner with Michael Dennehy, Tom Long, Aaron O'Sullivan, Breandain O'Sullivan, Dhani Merrick, John Corkery, Luke Casey and Matthew Bradley making an early impression. Aaron O'Sullivan landed a free in the 32nd minute.

Over the next couple of minutes the Mid Cork side created two half goal scoring chances but it was the solid Kilshannig backline that held firm with Shane O'Connell making a timely interception while full back Eoghan Burke was also called into action moments later when he made a vital clearance as Colm Gillespie bore down on goal. In the 38th minute Matthew Bradley added a point when he was at the end of a patient build up that started back in their full backline that closed the deficit to 2-7 to 1-6.

However Aghabullogue lacked the scoring threat they possessed in the drawn game as Kilshannig defended very deep as they limited any openings to their opponents. Matthew Bradley added a point from a free in the 42nd minute but this score was quickly cancelled when Colm O'Shea had his second point of the day and Kilshannig's first score of this half a minute later that certainly steadied the ship for the North Cork outfit.

In the 47th minute they moved five clear when Darragh O'Sullivan kicked a great free from a difficult angle from out near the sideline. Aghabullogue refused to yield in the last ten minutes Luke Casey and David Thompson had a point each but they never looked like breaching the Kilshannig backline for an equalising goal where Shane O'Connell, Eoghan Burke, Bill Curtin, Eoin Healy, Colm O'Shea, Conor Murphy and keeper Gavin Creedon held their lines very well.

In injury-time Darragh O'Sullivan who played a leading role in his sides triumph completed the scoring when he pointed another difficult free following a foul on Conor McMahon. This was soon greeted by the final whistle with Kilshannig emerging victors by a four point margin,.

KILSHANNIG: G Creedon, S O'Connell, E Burke, B Curtin, E Healy, C O'Shea 0-2, C Murphy, T Cunningham, C O'Sullivan, C O'Connell, K O'Hanlon, A O'Connell 0-1, E O'Hanlon 1-2 (0-1f), Darragh O'Sullivan 0-5 (3f, 1 'mark'), Diarmuid O'Sullivan 1-0. Subs: K Twomey for Diarmuid O'Sullivan, S Murphy for C O'Connell, C McMahon for A O'Connell, M Twomey for E Healy, J O'Hanlon for C McMahon (blood), C McMahon for J O'Hanlon,

AGHABULLOGUE: I O'Sullivan, C Smith, M Dennehy, P Dilworth, B O'Sullivan, T Long, A Murphy 0-1, C Gillespie, D Merrick, P O'Sullivan, J Corkery 0-1, A O'Sullivan 0-2 (1f), M Bradley 0-3 (2f), E O'Sullivan, L Casey 1-1. Subs: S Tarrant for P Dilworth (inj), D Thompson 0-1f for P O'Sullivan, J Lane for C Gillespie, C O'Sullivan for E O'Sullivan.

Referee: Alan O'Connor (Ballygarvan)

After the game a delighted Kilshannig manager Colm O'Dea said it has been a remarkable few years for the club.

"Three years ago we had a good win over Aghabullogue in the county IFC final. Last season we lost narrowly to a great Bantry Blues side. This year again in the county premier IFC we had some good results and came up against Aghabullogue again in the county final," O'Dea said.

"While some would say we were lucky to draw the first day with Darragh O'Sullivan having two late points, I felt today that the two early goals by Eanna O'Hanlon and Diarmuid O'Sullivan gave us a lead we always held. We defended very well as a unit especially in the second half when down to 14 men due to a black card, when we had to change tactics to curtail the threat the Aghabullogue forwards possessed.

"At the start of the year we had many injuries. Thankfully they all made their way back for the business end of the season.

"We will enjoy tonight and tomorrow. We will meet up later in the week and prepare for our Munster club quarter-final against the Limerick champions on Sunday in Glantane. It is a great boost to the parish and we look forward to Senior A grade next year."