Cork Junior B Football Championship

Cork Junior B Football Championship
IrishCraobh Peile Shóisearach B Chorcaí
CodeGaelic football
Founded1984 (1984)
Region Cork (GAA)
No. of teams14
Title holders St Oliver Plunketts (3rd title)
Most titles Argideen Rangers (4 titles)
SponsorsBon Secours
Official websiteCork GAA

The Cork Junior B Football Championship (known for sponsorship reasons as the Bon Secours Cork Junior B Football Championship and abbreviated to the Cork JBFC) is an annual Gaelic football competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association and contested by junior clubs in the county of Cork in Ireland. It is the seventh tier overall in the entire Cork football championship system.

The Cork Junior B Championship was introduced as a knockout tournament in 1984. In its current format, the championship is completed over the course of ten weeks. Unlike the Cork Junior A Football Championship, it is a countywide competition not limited to divisional champions. The championship includes a round robin followed by a knockout stage, which culminates with the final match at Páirc Uí Rinn.

The competition has been won by 27 teams, eight of which have won it more than once. Argideen Rangers are the most successful team in the competition's history, having won it four times. St Oliver Plunketts are the title holders after defeating Ballyphehane by 1–10 to 1–09 in the 2023 final.[1]

Format

Group stage

The 12 teams are divided into two groups of four and two groups of three. Over the course of the group stage, each team plays once against the others in the group. Two points are awarded for a win, one for a draw and zero for a loss. The teams are ranked in the group stage table by points gained, then scoring difference and then their head-to-head record. The top two teams in each group qualify for the knockout stage.

Knockout stage

Quarter-finals: The eight qualifying teams from the group stage contest this round. The four winners from these four games advance to the semi-finals.

Semi-finals: The four quarter-final winners contest this round. The two winners from these four games advance to the semi-finals.

Final: The two semi-final winners contest the final. The winning team are declared champions.

Teams

2025 Teams

Team Location Division Colours In Championship since Championship titles Last championship title
Araglen Araglen Avondhu Green and white 2022 0
Ballinacurra Ballinacurra Imokilly Green and white 2025 0
Ballyphehane Ballyphehane Seandún Blue and white 2023 1 2025
Belgooly Belgooly Carrigdhoun White and blue 2025 1 2011
Brian Dillons Montenotte Seandún Blue and white 2025 0
Clann na nGael Drimoleague Carbery Green, white and black 2022 1 2006
Garnish Allihies Beara Green and yellow 2020 0
Glengarriff Glengarriff Beara Green and red 2017 1 1999
Muintir Bháire Durrus Carbery Maroon and white 2023 1 2003
Shanballymore Shanballymore Avondhu Red and black 2011 0
St Catherine's Ballynoe Imokilly Purple and yellow 2021 0

Sponsorship

In keeping with its sponsorship deal for all Cork hurling and football championships, Permanent TSB provided the sponsorship since 1994. The Evening Echo became the primary sponsors of all Cork hurling and football championships in 2005. In July 2020, Bon Secours Hospital were unveiled as the title sponsor of all of Cork's Gaelic football competitions.[2]

Roll of honour

# Team Titles Runners-up Years won Years runners-up
1 Argideen Rangers 4 0 1993, 2001, 2008, 2017
2 Kilbrin 3 2 1985, 1996, 2010 2017, 2020
Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's 3 0 1995, 2012, 2022
St Oliver Plunketts 3 0 1990, 2007, 2023
5 Kilmeen 2 2 1984, 2015 2012, 2014
Kilbrittain 2 0 1992, 2009
Castlelyons 2 0 1989, 2014
Dripsey 2 0 2005, 2020
9 Rathpeacon 1 2 1991 2003, 2004
Charleville 1 2 2013 2010, 2011
Grange 1 2 2019 2015, 2018
Glengarriff 1 1 1999 1997
Belgooly 1 1 2011 2002
Ballyhooly 1 1 2016 2001
Ballinacurra 1 1 2018 2013
Randal Óg 1 1 2021 1999
Ballinure 1 0 1986
Inniscarra 1 0 1987
Abbey Rovers 1 0 1988
Kilmacabea 1 0 1994
St Colum's 1 0 1997
Rathluirc Rovers 1 0 1998
Liscarroll 1 0 2000
Barryroe 1 0 2002
Muintir Bháire 1 0 2003
St Mary's 1 0 2004
Clann na nGael 1 0 2006
28 Awbeg Rangers 0 3 1984, 1987, 1991
Kilworth 0 2 1985, 1995
Freemount 0 2 1992, 1998
Araglen 0 2 2005, 2008
Russell Rovers 0 2 1986, 2009
Goleen 0 2 2019, 2021
Ilen Rovers 0 1 1988
Whitechurch 0 1 1989
Burton Rovers 0 1 1990
Killavullen 0 1 1993
Lough Rovers 0 1 1994
Carrignavar 0 1 1996
Lyre 0 1 2000
Churchtown 0 1 2006
Passage 0 1 2007
Cobh 0 1 2016
Fr. O'Neill's 0 1 2022
Ballyphehane 0 1 2023

By Division

# Division Titles Runners-up Total
1 Carbery 21 6 27
2 Avondhu 6 14 20
3 Seandun 3 7 10
Duhallow 3 5 8
Muskerry 3 0 3
6 Imokilly 2 5 7
7 Beara 1 1 2
Carrigdhoun 1 1 2

List of finals

Year Winners Runners-up #
Club Score Club Score
2025 Ballyphehane 9-06 Araglen 3-07
2024 Goleen 0-11 Ballyphehane 0-09
2023 St Oliver Plunkett's 1–10 Ballyphehane 1–09 [3]
2022 Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's 2–13 Fr. O'Neill's 1–09 [4]
2021 Randal Og 2–10 Goleen 1–06 [5]
2020 Dripsey 3–14 Kilbrin 1–09 [6]
2019 Grange 2–04 Goleen 0–07 [7]
2018 Ballinacurra 3–11 Grange 2–07 [8]
2017 Argideen Rangers 3–13 Kilbrin 3–07 [9]
2016 Ballyhooly 2–11 Cobh 1–08 [10]
2015 Kilmeen 5–14 Grange 0–05 [11]
2014 Castlelyons 1–06 Kilmeen 0–07 [12]
2013 Charleville 0–06 Ballinacurra 0–05 [13]
2012 Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's 2–09 Kilmeen 0–09 [14]
2011 Belgooly 2–14 Charleville 1–08 [15]
2010 Kilbrin 1–07 Charleville 1–05 [16]
2009 Kilbrittain 2–11 Russell Rovers 0–09 [17]
2008 Argideen Rangers 0–09 Araglen 1–02 [18]
2007 St Oliver Plunkett's 1–13 Passage 2–07 [19]
2006 Clan na Gael 1–14 Churchtown 0–09 [20]
2005 Dripsey 1–09 Araglen 0–05 [21]
2004 St Mary's 2–10 Rathpeacon 0–08 [22]
2003 Muintir Bháire 3–11 Rathpeacon 0–12 [23]
2002 Barryroe 2–11 Belgooly 0–04 [24]
2001 Argideen Rangers 1–15 Ballyhooly 1–09 [25]
2000 Liscarroll 1–13 Lyre 0–03 [26]
1999 Glengarriff 2–09 Randal Óg 1–07 [27]
1998 Rathluirc Rovers 1–06 Freemount 0–04
1997 St. Colum's 0–11 Glengarriff 0–05
1996 Kilbrin 2–10 Carrignavar 1–07
1995 Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's 2–09 Kilworth 2–05
1994 Kilmacabea 0–13 Lough Rovers 1–03
1993 Argideen Rangers 1–17 Killavullen 0–06
1992 Kilbrittain 3–10 Freemount 0–08
1991 Rathpeacon 0–10 Awbeg Rangers 1–06
1990 St. Oliver Plunkett's 1–06 Burton Rovers 0–07
1989 Castlelyons 3–04 Whitechurch 1–09
1988 Abbey Rovers 1–06 Ilen Rovers 0–06
1987 Inniscarra 1–07 Awbeg Rangers 0–04
1986 Ballinure 1–06 Russell Rovers 1–03
1985 Kilbrin 0–06 Kilworth 0–02
1984 Kilmeen 0–12 Awbeg Rangers 0–07

Notes:

  • 1988 - The first match ended in a draw: Abbey Rovers 0-08, Ilen Rovers 0-08.
  • 2016 - The first match ended in a draw: Ballyhooly 1-13, Cobh 2-10.
  • 2018 - The first match ended in a draw: Ballinacurra 0-11, Grange 1-08.

Team records and statistics

Longest gaps between successive championship titles:

  • 31 years: Kilmeen (1984-2015)
  • 25 years: Castlelyons (1989-2014)
  • 17 years: St Oliver Plunketts (1990-2007)
  • 17 years: Kilbrittain (1992-2009)
  • 17 years: Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's (1995-2012)
  • 16 years: St Oliver Plunketts (2007-2023)
  • 15 years: Dripsey (2005-2020)
  • 14 years: Kilbrin (1996-2010)
  • 11 years: Kilbrin (1985-1996)
  • 10 years: Diarmuid Ó Mathúna's (2012-2022)

See also

References

  1. ^ McCarthy, Kieran (16 July 2023). "Plunkett's crowned county junior B football champions!". The Southern Star. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  2. ^ O'Connor, Colm (21 July 2020). "Bon Secours Hospital Cork to sponsor football championships". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  3. ^ O'Mahony, Barry (15 July 2023). "Fast start stands to St Oliver Plunkett's in county final win over Ballyphehane". Echo Live. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  4. ^ O'Shea, John (8 August 2023). "Junior B joy for Diarmuid Ó Mathúnas after cracking clash with Fr O'Neill's". Echo Live. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
  5. ^ Leonard, John (8 August 2023). "Historic first Junior B county title for Randal Óg in beating Goleen". Echo Live. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Dripsey capture 2020 Cork Junior B Football Championship after exciting win over Kilbrin". Echo Live. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  7. ^ Ryan, Pat (27 July 2019). "Grange finally get over the line in Junior B final". The Corkman. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  8. ^ Ryan, Pat (11 August 2018). "Grange second best in replay". The Corkman. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Argideen join junior A ranks". The Southern Star. 9 July 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  10. ^ Ryan, Paddy (7 September 2016). "Ballyhooly are Cork County junior 'B' football champions". The Avondhu. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  11. ^ "Kilmeen hit gold on third attempt". Irish Examiner. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  12. ^ "Heartbreak for Kilmeen in county junior B football final". The Southern Star. 25 August 2014. Archived from the original on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.
  13. ^ "Charleville leave it late in Co JBFC final". Mallow Star. 5 September 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Glory for mighty Mathúnas". Irish Examiner. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2012.
  15. ^ Hurley, Denis (29 August 2011). "Belgooly turn on the style". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  16. ^ "GAA club reflects on the highs and lows of 2010 at AGM". Irish Independent. 13 January 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  17. ^ "Club history". Russell Rovers GAA website. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  18. ^ Hurley, Denis (13 August 2010). "Araglen looking to end a wait of 22 years for junior B hurling glory". Echo Live. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  19. ^ Hurley, Matthew (15 July 2023). "Plunkett's footballers eye county junior title". The Southern Star. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Scorchers crash title barrier". Irish Independent. 12 November 2006. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  21. ^ "Araglin edge out battling Kilbrin". Irish Examiner. 4 August 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  22. ^ Horgan, John (3 June 2020). "Cork City legend John Caulfield also had a rich sporting life as a Gaelic footballer". Echo Live. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  23. ^ Palmer, Paudie (1 April 2021). "Paudie Palmer on Muintir Bhaire, the small West Cork club with real heart". Echo Live. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  24. ^ "Junior B Football - County Final". Barryroe GAA website. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  25. ^ Roche, Marian (5 December 2022). "Memories from the Archives – November 2001". The Avondhu. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  26. ^ "Liscarroll are champs". Irish Independent. 22 February 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  27. ^ "History". Randal Óg GAA website. Retrieved 8 August 2023.