THEY were both fancied at the outset of the championship – and both have delivered.

Uibh Laoire and Aghabullogue were tipped by many to reach the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Intermediate Football Championship final, and they’ve stuck to the script.

These two sides have plenty in common. Both boast steady defences. Both topped their groups. Both have won every game on their way to the decider. Above all else, both are Muskerry – and that means we’ve got a derby on our hands.

This Sunday’s final (Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 3.30pm) has the rivalry and the quality to match the billing.

Aghabullogue reached this stage last year, only to lose to Kilshannig after a replay, while Uibh Laoire have been knocking on the door for some time. Promoted from Intermediate A in 2021, they made the semi-finals in 2022 (losing to Bantry Blues), the quarter-finals in 2023 (beaten by eventual champions Cill na Martra) and the semi-finals again in 2024 (falling to Kilshannig, who went on to win it).

The rise of both clubs has been impressive. Aghabullogue were in the Intermediate A grade as recently as 2023, and now they’re contesting their second third-tier final in succession.

Uibh Laoire have made light work of their route to the final – seeing off Kiskeam, Castletownbere, Macroom and Aghada with an average winning margin of ten points. Aghabullogue, meanwhile, have faced tougher battles, with only their win over Kiskeam coming by more than seven.

Uibh Laoire's Chris Óg Jones has scored 6-25 in this club championship.

Up front, there’s no shortage of firepower. Cork forward Chris Óg Jones – the third-highest scorer in this year’s inter-county season – leads the Uibh Laoire attack. He’s the top scorer overall and from play in this championship with 6-25. Jones is well supported by Cathal Vaughan (1-13), Seán O’Riordan (2-1) and Timmy Roberts (0-6), giving Uibh Laoire a balanced threat.

Aghabullogue have plenty of scoring punch themselves. Luke Casey (6-12) and Matthew Bradley (0-20) are their main men, with Casey also well-known for his exploits on the soccer field with Coachford in the Munster Junior Cup.

Defensively, both sides have been rock solid – conceding just two goals between them all championship. Macroom and Aghada are the only teams to have breached the Uibh Laoire net, while Aghabullogue have kept an outstanding five clean sheets from five.

How they handle the threat of Chris Óg Jones will be fascinating. If the Cork senior can find the net, it could prove decisive.

The outcome may well hinge on the battle between Uibh Laoire’s forwards and Aghabullogue’s disciplined backline. One goal might be enough to tilt the balance.

Last year’s final between Kilshannig and Aghabullogue was widely regarded as one of the games of the season under the old rules. With the new format now encouraging more attacking football, this year’s edition promises to be just as entertaining.