Buttevant on verge of promotion in McCarthy Insurance Group Football League Division 5

WITH just two rounds remaining, promotion and relegation is firmly up for grabs in Divisions 5, 6 and 7 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues.

These particular divisions don’t quite get the same treatment as the other divisions given the high volume of games, but this particular moment seems about right to delve into what’s exactly happening in these leagues with the end of the league campaign fast approaching.

One thing that is extremely likely to happen in Division 5 is that Buttevant should be promoted for the second successive season which is some achievement and shows the job Joey Hanlon is doing at the helm.

The North Cork club have won all seven games to date and with two matches remaining, are four points ahead of the rest, promotion is nearly there.

Arguably, Buttevant’s most impressive performance and result of 2024 was last time out against Kilmurry.

It was a huge promotion battle with Kilmurry who were two points behind Buttevant at the start of play, but the black and amber produced a sizzling performance to win away from home 3-9 to 1-7. Both sides are one of the favourites for the Premier JFC title this year, but Buttevant won’t be getting carried away considering they hammered Kilmurry in the Division 6 league final last year.

SETBACK

Despite the setback, the Muskerry side still have a chance of promotion. They remain in second spot, level on points with Adrigole. A surprise contender in the shape of Kinsale are three points behind, but have played a game less. Millstreet are a point behind Kinsale and also have a game in hand over them, so they could still have a say in who goes up.

At the other end of the spectrum, Na Piarsaigh and Ballydesmond occupy the two relegation spots with both on two points. The teams have a bit of catching up to do in terms of games, with Na Piarsaigh having played six, and Ballydesmond just five. Mitchelstown, Glenville and Dromtarriffe are all looking anxiously below.

In Divisions 6 and 7, there are eight teams, so in total, the sides play seven games and the majority have played five matches, but teams are still trying to play catch up due to the poor weather we experienced for months this year.

Gabriel Rangers sit top of Division 6 with 10 points from five games with Ballinora two points behind. 

Aghinagh are outside the top two by a point in what is a three-way tie for promotion. St Nick’s have lost all five games and will be in the bottom tier in 2025. It looks like St Michael’s second string will join them with the Blackrock side after losing all four games to date. Cobh, Mayfield and Kildorrery are bunched together in mid-table.

Finally, Canovee are looking good of moving up from Division 7 with the Carrigadrohid based side top with four wins from four. Cullen hold the second promotion spot for now with eight points but have played five matches. Castlemagner and Argideen Rangers are two points behind with Argideen Rangers having a game in hand.

Ballyhooly are bottom with no points after their five matches played with relegation to their Avondhu divisional league looking very likely. St Finbarr’s reserves, Urhan and St James’ are all in relegation trouble.