AFTER Ardfield won the Championship Cup last month, Fintan Barrett was chatting to club chairman Hugh O’Reilly about the grit and determination in this group.

Barrett, back in with his home club this season, wasn’t part of the Ardfield team that went all the way to the 2025 Beamish Cup final. He watched on from afar.

But now he’s back in Ardfield colours as captain of a team that is on the cusp of an incredible season.

Similar to Sunday’s Beamish Cup final opponents Drinagh Rangers, Ardfield are chasing a treble. They have won the Championship Cup, are in the Championship title race and pushing for promotion, and also want a first-ever Beamish Cup triumph.

For the Championship outfit to defy the odds and reach a second consecutive Beamish Cup decider is an achievement in itself.

Ardfield captain Fintan Barrett.

‘The resilience in this group is huge – I was chatting to Hugh O’Reilly about that after we won the Championship Cup,’ Barrett says.

‘To get to the Beamish Cup final is difficult, so to do it last year, come so close against a strong Clonakilty team, and then go again and get straight back there – it shows serious determination.

‘Everyone just knuckles down and pushes on together. I really admire that resilience.’

Barrett had lined out with Ardfield at underage level before school and college took over, and the Rosscarbery man didn’t need too much convincing to sign up again. He could have played last season, but missed out on the registration deadline. So when Ardfield boss Johnny Lawless came calling again, Barrett was back on board.

‘After seeing how well the lads did last year, and after talking to a few of them, I knew I had to get involved this year. I’m so glad I did – I’ve really enjoyed it so far,’ says Barrett, who lives and works in Cork city.

It’s already been a memorable campaign – he captained Ardfield to the Championship Cup final win against Beara United. But they want more.

In their latest league tie this week, Ardfield beat Skibbereen AFC 9-1 to move five points behind joint leaders Beara United and Bunratty United, but they have two games in hand.

To win the title and promotion, Ardfield must win their final two league matches. First, it’s a chance at an historic Beamish Cup final triumph.

‘Winning the Championship Cup and ending the 14-year wait for silverware, that alone is a success,’ says Barrett.

‘But being with the lads all season, seeing how strong the group is and how committed they are to winning the league and the Beamish Cup, we’re just trying to maximise the situation that we have created. It has been a success already, but we want more.

‘One of our coaches, Sean Lenihan, said we’ve two league cup finals and a cup final left.’

Next is their cup final: against Drinagh Rangers in Turner’s Cross (12.30pm).

‘Drinagh are in serious form – league winners and Parkway Cup winners. They score a lot of goals, so we’ll have to be at our best. But I’m convinced that our best is good enough. It’s about turning up on the day,’ Barrett says.

Ardfield’s defensive record will give them encouragement. They have conceded just 16 goals in 18 league games, the best in the Championship. On this Beamish Cup run, Ardfield have only let in one goal in four games. That’s the platform for their success this season.

‘From underage I was always in defence, I’m happy enough at the back. I said to Johnny, “Anywhere you want me, I’ll play.” If he asked me to go in goal, I’d go in goal. You do what’s needed for the team,’ says Barrett, who is used to going the extra mile.

Before returning to the West Cork League, Barrett ran marathons in Cork and Paris. Running can be a lonely enough sport, he says.

‘I’ve really enjoyed being back in the dressing room, even just the group chat after a win. The social side is brilliant.’

While running a marathon ticked one to-do job off the bucket list, winning the Beamish Cup would be another. Roll on Sunday.