WEST Cork LGFA club Bandon and Naomh Abán are basking in the glory of their  Cork LGFA junior B and intermediate county final successes this week.

Naomh Abán banished memories of intermediate county final losses to Glanmire (2023) and O’Donovan Rossa (2024) in the past two seasons by overcoming Midleton in Cloughduv on Saturday.

A hard-fought victory over last year’s junior A champions proved an historic moment as it secured the Ballyvourney club’s place amongst the senior ranks.

‘There was a lot of pressure on the team going into this final,’ Naomh Abán manager Noel McDonagh told The Southern Star.

‘When you get to two finals but lose them, winning the third is extra sweet. That was our third intermediate final in a row and we didn’t want to be losing another one. That brought its own pressures last Saturday.

‘We knew we had a lot of work to do over the last 12 months and the girls were well prepared. Beating Midleton meant a lot to them. So, at least that monkey is off their backs. We can look forward to senior football next year.’

Naomh Abán began brightly and led 1-3 to 0-2 after 21 minutes when Grace Murphy netted her side’s second goal. Ava McAuliffe had a fine game and scored three times to reduce the deficit, 2-4 to 0-5 at the interval.

Three Lydia McDonagh points kept Naomh Abán on the front foot until Abby Quirke netted a Midleton goal after 44 minutes. Two late McDonagh frees sealed the Ballyvourney club’s 2-11 to 1-6 victory however, and kick-started wild celebrations.

‘Everything from here on out is bonus territory for us,’ Noel McDonagh added.

‘I think we are down to play the Munster LGFA Championship in two weeks’ time. We have been involved in that (provincial championship) before and the girls are really looking forward to it.’

Lydia McDonagh impressed for Naomh Abán in their final win.

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Bandon followed up last year’s Cork LGFA junior D county final success by adding the junior C trophy to their cabinet on Sunday.

Twelve months ago, the Lilywhites overcame West Cork rivals Ilen Rovers, 4-9 to 2-14, to become county champions. This year wins over Beara, St Peter’s, Courcey Rovers, Dromtarriffe and Mallow sent the unbeaten West Cork club into a second consecutive county decider.

Douglas was the venue for the Lilywhite and Lisgoold’s junior C final in which the West Cork club dominated from start to finish. Bandon led 3-5 to 0-4 at the break before going on to win 6-7 to 1-10.

The winners’ scores were provided by Hannah Buckley and Evelyn McCarthy (2-0 each), Laura Cummins (1-3), Clodagh Barry (1-0), and Kate O’Connor and Kate McLoughlin (0-1 each). Best for Bandon included Louise Carton. Aisling O’Connor, Emma Tarrant, Katie Allen, Rachael O’Donovan and Evelyn McCarthy.

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This weekend sees the knockout stage of the 2025 Cork Credit Unions Cork LGFA minor county championships down for decision.

West Cork’s representatives in the A grade’s quarter-finals are O’Donovan Rossa and Kinsale. The former are away to Glanmire while Kinsale host Mallow.

In the minor B county quarter-finals, Castlehaven will hope home advantage can help them overcome Bride Rovers. In the same competition, Bandon travel to St Val’s.

An all-West Cork LGFA semi-final is a possibility in this year’s minor C county championship. Ilen Rovers will face Dohenys in the last four if the latter overcome Killavullen and the former get the better of Carrigtwohill.

Beara and Rosscarbery will be on their travels in the last eight of the minor D county championship. Carrigaline host Beara while Ross make the trip to Kildorrery in search of a semi-final berth.