KILMACABEA captain Ian Jennings is already looking ahead to the next challenge after his club’s fairytale 2025 season – a daunting Cork premier junior football championship draw that promises no easy days.

Jennings was a deserved recipient of a West Cork Sports Star monthly award at the Celtic Ross Hotel, recognition of a remarkable year that saw Kilmacabea crowned Carbery and Cork junior A champions. Few stories lifted the spirits of West Cork sport in 2025 quite like Kilmacabea’s rise.

Last December’s Cork JAFC final victory over Donoughmore sparked unforgettable celebrations in Leap and Glandore, scenes that lingered long into the New Year.

‘Things only really returned to normal in the last few weeks and then we got into the silly season of Christmas,’ Jennings told The Southern Star.

‘We had the craic all over Christmas again. Sure, the first fella you rang when you were heading out was a team-mate. We’ve a dinner dance coming up this month too, so I’d say the celebrations will run on until then.’

Kilmacabea’s county breakthrough was all the sweeter considering the disappointment of the previous year, when a 2-9 to 1-9 semi-final defeat to Inniscarra ended their 2024 championship run one step short of the final. That loss might have stalled many clubs. Instead, it hardened Kilmacabea’s resolve.

Depth, drive and determination were central to their success, according to the captain.

Kilmacabea's Ian Jennings with his West Cork Sports Star Monthly (November) Award pictured with family; from left, Richard, Croía, Ellie, Katie Harte, Narelle and Richie. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘There were a lot of fellas who came onto the panel and our bench made a huge impact this year,’ Jennings explained.

‘We have serious pace in the team, and the lads who weren’t starting were the ones pushing standards every night at training.

‘We regularly had close to 30 fellas training. That makes a massive difference – you can do so much more with that number.

‘We just took every game as it came. We focused on the league first, and when that was finished it was all about championship.

‘Once you start winning, you want to win the next one and then the next one after that. Ultimately, you just want to get back to a county final. After last year, everyone knew it would be a long road, but we were determined.’

That determination has carried Kilmacabea into the premier junior ranks for 2026 – and straight into a testing group that includes Na Piarsaigh, Canovee and St Nick’s.

‘It’s a tough draw, to be honest,’ Jennings admitted.

‘But that’s a good thing too because it focuses minds straight away.

‘St Nick’s and Na Piarsaigh were senior clubs not that long ago, so they still have pedigree. Nick’s and Canovee are recent county final runners-up, so there’s nothing easy there at all.

‘Hopefully, if we can pick up a few results, you never know where we might go.’

Before attention fully turns to summer championship football, Jennings was keen to acknowledge those who helped make 2025 so special.

‘Our supporters are a bit mad, but they travel in huge numbers and they make a massive difference to us,’ he said.

‘They’re massive for us on the sideline.

‘And the commitment Donie O’Donovan and the whole backroom team have put in has been unbelievable – not just this year.

‘Coming home as county champions must have been a lovely moment for them too.’