IBANE Gaels will kick off the defence of their Clóna Milk Carbery U21A football title with a quarter-final showdown against Carbery Rangers.
It had looked like Ibane – an amalgamation of Argideen Rangers and Barryroe – would not compete at U21 level this season following a recommendation from the Independent Teams Monitoring Committee, but Ibane appealed the decision, and was successful.
So, they can defend their U21A football crown this season, and will also compete in the three-team U21A hurling championship.
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Fans will have to wait until the summer to see these straight knock-out U21 divisional championships, though, as they have moved from their recent running in February until later in the season – the start date for the competitions is Friday, June 26th.
Ibane already knows what it’s like to conquer Carbery in the summer as they won last year’s U21A football final on August 29th. A possible rematch of Ibane v Bantry Blues, the 2024 champions, will only happen in the final, as they are on opposite sides of the draw.
The winner of Carbery Rangers v Ibane Gaels quarter-final will meet either 2024 semi-finalist O’Donovan Rossa or Clonakilty in the last four. On the other side of the draw, Castlehaven take on Newcestown in a quarter-final, with the winner to meet Dohenys or Bantry Blues.
Meanwhile, the U21 hurling draw is a repeat of last season – champions Newcestown meet Ibane Gaels in the semi-final, with Bandon waiting in the final.
In the Carbery U21B football championship, champions St Colum’s meet Ahán Gaels in a quarter-final – this is a repeat of last season’s final that Colum’s won 2-9 to 0-7. Whoever wins this tie will meet Clonakilty B in the last four. Last year’s U21C champions Ilen Rovers have moved up to U21B and play Bandon in a quarter-final.
So, Ilen moving up means new Carbery U21C football champs will be crowned this summer. Beaten finalists last year, Clann na nGael, start their title bid with a quarter-final against Owen Gaels.
Also, in the six-team Clóna Milk U21B hurling championship, champions Ahán Gaels face Clonakilty in a quarter-final; this is a repeat of last season’s final. The winner here advances to play Kilbree in the last four. On the other side of the draw, 2025 U21C winners Dohenys play Kilbrittain in a quarter-final, with St Colum’s waiting in the semi-final.
In U21C hurling, it’s straight semi-finals, with Randal Óg playing St James, and O’Donovan Rossa up against Owen Gaels.
Newcestown captain Ciarán O'Donovan raises the Teddy Kehily Cup after his team's 2025 Clona Milk U21A hurling final win. (Photo: Paddy Feen)
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Clóna Milk U21A football – Quarter-finals: Castlehaven v Newcestown; Carbery Rangers v Ibane Gaels; O’Donovan Rossa v Clonakilty; Dohenys v Bantry Blues. Semi-finals: Dohenys or Bantry Blues v Castlehaven or Newcestown; Carbery Rangers or Ibane Gaels v O’Donovan Rossa or Clonakilty.
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Clóna Milk U21B football – Quarter-finals: Ahán Gaels v St Colum’s; Ilen Rovers v Bandon; Kilmacabea/St James v Kilmeen; Clonakilty B, a bye. Semi-finals: Clonakilty B v Ahán Gaels or St Colum’s; Ilen Rovers or Bandon v Kilmacabea/St James or Kilmeen.
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Clóna Milk U21C football – Quarter-finals: Clann na nGael v Owen Gaels; Gabriel Rangers v Urhan; Kilbrittain v Tadhg MacCarthaigh; Muintir Bháire v Randal Óg. Semi-finals: Clann na nGael or Owen Gaels v Gabriel Rangers or Urhan; Kilbrittain or Tadhg MacCarthaigh v Muintir Bháire or Randal Óg.
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Clóna Milk U21A hurling – Semi-final: Ibane Gaels v Newcestown. Final: Bandon v Ibane Gaels or Newcestown.
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Clóna Milk U21B hurling – Quarter-finals: Clonakilty v Ahán Gaels; Dohenys v Kilbrittain. Semi-finals: Kilbree v Clonakilty or Ahán Gaels; St Colum’s v Dohenys or Kilbrittain.
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Clóna Milk U21C hurling – Semi-finals: Randal Óg v St James; O’Donovan Rossa v Owen Gaels.
