THE 2025 Southern Star West Cork LGFA intermediate and junior team of the year includes some of the region’s most experienced club players and plenty of emerging footballing talent.

Hot on the heels of this year’s Southern Star senior club team of the year announcement, 15 players have been selected on our West Cork LGFA intermediate and junior selection.

This panel includes representatives from nine clubs who competed across eight different grades, in Cork LGFA county league and championships, over the past 12 months.

County junior A county finalists, winners Dohenys (three) and runners-up Bantry Blues (two), have five representatives. Rosscarbery competed in this year’s intermediate grade and have two players on the team of the year. The remainder of the 15-strong selection is made up of players from Tadhg MacCárthaigh (junior B), Bandon, Beara (both junior c), Ilen Rovers (junior D), St Colum’s (junior F) and Keelnameela (junior G).

Dohenys' Ciara Aherne enjoyed an impressive season.

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Kate Corcoran (goalkeeper, Dohenys) – The junior A county champions’ goalkeeper emerged as one of the best in her position over the past 12 months. Corcoran was an integral part of the Dunmanway club’s junior A county final success thanks to her accurate kick-outs and shot-stopping abilities.

Eimear O’Shea (defender, Beara) – O’Shea was one of the youngest members of a Beara panel that reached a West Cork LGFA Division 2 final and competed in this year’s junior C grade. A dependable corner-back, her consistency marks the Beara defender out as a player to watch out for in the future.

Ellie Jennings (defender, Rosscarbery) – The West Cork LGFA club finished third in this year’s intermediate county championship behind winners, Naomh Abán, and runners-up, Midleton. A youthful panel was fortunate to have a consistent full-back in Jennings. Sister of Kilmacabea’s JAFC county champions’ captain Ian, the Rosscarbery player was one of the standouts in her position.

Elaine Cullinane (defender, Bandon) – A versatile defender, comfortable at centre-back or midfield, Cullinane enjoyed a terrific individual campaign. Captain of Bandon’s adult and U21 teams, her dynamic displays helped the Lilywhites overcome Lisgoold to claim the 2025 junior C county title.

Ciara Aherne (defender, Dohenys) – A tenacious wing-back, Aherne was one of Dohenys’ hardest workers, both on and off the ball, throughout 2025. Overcame a mid-season hand injury to return and help her club become junior A county champions at the expense of Bantry Blues. Aherne’s return from injury was a welcome and timely boost.

Maggie Coppinger (defender, St Colum’s) – The dependable centre back led by example, on and off the pitch, as the Kealkill side enjoyed another productive season. From the famed Coppinger family, Maggie made her mark in a St Colum’s team that topped their junior F group table only to miss out on a county final appearance following a one-point semi-final loss to St Coleman’s.

Amy McKennedy (defender, Tadhg MacCárthaigh) – A regular starter on numerous Cork inter-county underage teams over the past number of years, McKennedy played a vital role in Tadhg MacCárthaigh’s superb run to this year’s junior B county decider. Now part of the Cork senior B set-up, she continues to excel at club and county level. McKennedy remains one of the best markers in the game.

Sarah Hayes (midfielder, Rosscarbery) – A model of consistency, Hayes represented Rosscarbery in the centre of the pitch in every competitive fixture over the past twelve months. Part of the West Cork club’s surprise third place intermediate county championship finish, Hayes linked defence with attack and was one of her club’s most reliable players.

Rosscarbery's Sarah Hayes is a key player for her club.

Alice Bushe (midfielder, Ilen Rovers) – Converted from the forwards to the middle of the park in 2025, Bushe produced a stunning individual campaign that helped Ilen Rovers reach a junior D county final. As a midfielder, her fielding, work rate and passing ability set the tempo for another positive Ilen Rovers campaign. Alice Bushe was one of the finds of the season.

Orla Barrett (forward, Keelnameela) – Comfortable lining out at either wing forward or corner forward, Barrett enjoyed a superb year in Keelnameela’s attack. Still finding their feet at the junior G grade, her regular scoring bodes well for a West Cork LGFA club with big ambitions in 2026 and beyond.

Eve Murphy (forward, Bantry Blues) – As either a midfielder or forward, Murphy’s marauding runs helped her club reach this year’s junior A county final only to come up short to Dohenys. Leading by example, the Bantry Blues captain was a model of consistency and contributed 5-8 in the junior A county championship. Her ability in the middle third made her one of the county’s standout players of 2025.

Ava O’Donovan (forward, Dohenys) – O’Donovan’s accuracy from frees was as important as her ability to create scores for her Dohenys team mates en-route to a junior A county title. The centre-forward played a starring role in the Dunmanway club’s attack throughout the season. Ava underlined her quality with five points and another all-action display in the JAFC county final win over Bantry.

Ava O'Donovan of Dohenys.

Maebh Collins (forward, Ilen Rovers) – One of her club’s most dependable and adaptable players, Collins made her presence felt in Ilen Rovers’ run to this past year’s junior D county final. Collins was amongst her team’s highest scorers for the second year in a row and looks set for an even better season over the next twelve months.

Sarah Bishop (forward, Bantry Blues) – A personal scoring tally of 4-39 from this past year’s county league and junior A championship underlines Bishop’s growing reputation. The Bantry Blues forward was a threat whenever in possession and will be vital to the West Cork LGFA club’s chances of bouncing back in 2026.

Hannah Buckley (forward, Bandon) – Following on from their junior D county success, Bandon added the junior C county trophy this past year. Buckley played a leading role in that triumph, scoring goals at crucial times throughout Bandon’s second successful campaign. A mainstay in the Lilywhites’ fill-forward line, Buckley is ready to make her mark at a higher grade in the 2026.