A STATEMENT victory for Canovee yesterday as annexed a first Cork JAFC title in sixteen years at Páirc Uí Rinn.

Their thumping 12-point win over Mayfield was as emphatic as it suggests, an all-round display from the Muskerry men embellished by a hat-trick of goals from Darragh McMahon and a penalty converted by captain James Moynihan.

Despite their best efforts Mayfield couldn’t match the free-flowing play of Canovee. The city side relied heavily on Paul Condon in the inside line of attack - he scored 0-8 - but they were second best from the get-go.

It’s Premier JFC football in 2024 for Canovee, and there’s no reason to suggest they will not acclimatise quickly to the fifth tier of Cork football. They certainly have the talent.

“We’re delighted to be going back up," said manager John O’Brien.

"It’s a nice challenge to get out Junior and play a different opposition. It’s been a while coming and we’re just really pleased the lads put in the performance on the day to make sure we’re playing in a higher division next year. We can sit back now and enjoy Christmas and we’ll start planning for next year then after that.”

Canovee looked dangerous from the opening moments. Jack Kelleher and Dara Cronin had points in the opening few minutes. Five minutes had not elapsed when Conor O’Neill played the ball to Darragh McMahon in space for the corner forward to net the opening goal.

Mayfield would have to wait until the tenth minute for their first score courtesy of a Condon free. Seconds later Condon added a second but any notion that Mayfield were getting a foothold was dashed when poacher supreme McMahon claimed his second goal in the 19th minute.

“That’s the kind of football we like to play,” O’Brien reflected. “Playing on the front foot, having a go and not sitting back and inviting pressure.

"It’s all about being creative and proactive. We’ve got some super forwards and all six of them can score. There’s guys coming off the bench that would get on any team so we’re blessed in that regard.”

Mayfield had an uphill battle, starting the second half nine points down, 2-8 to 0-5. And their momentum was dashed as Canovee’s Darragh McMahon was fouled in the square moments after the restart allowing Moynihan to slot the penalty.

Despite that dagger, Mayfield had the perfect response with a quick fire goal of their own. Midfielder Jake Courtney came onto the end of a ball after powering through from the middle of the park and slotted it past Canovee keeper Cormac O’Driscoll, 3-9 to 1-5.

McMahon rounded off his hat-trick after 48 minutes to put the seal on it for Canovee and they brought it home with some beautiful scores down the stretch from Jack Kelliher, Padraig O’Leary and Conor O’Neill.

“They finish the year with a 100% record intact and tonight they can be very proud of themselves. We’re certainly very proud of them, O’Brien said.

“We switched off a little after we got the third goal but there’s an incredible style, teamwork and intensity in this side. They’re a joy to watch really.”

Scorers for Canovee: D McMahon (3-0), J Moynihan (1-0), J Kelleher (0-6, 3f), D Cronin, C Dodd and C O’Neill (0-2 each), P O’Leary and E Dodd (0-1).

Scorers for Mayfield: P Condon (0-8, 5f), J Courtney (1-0), D Lucey, D O’Neill, D Donovan (0-1 each).

CANOVEE: C O’Driscoll; C Cronin, M Dunne, W Ahern; E Dodd, O O’Driscoll, E Lehane; C Dodd, A Murphy; J Moynihan, D Cronin, C O’Neill; D McMahon, B McNabola, J Kelleher.

Subs: D Moynihan for M Dunne (13, inj), M Healy for B McNabola (47), P O’Leary for D Cronin (47), E McNabola for C Dodd (53).

MAYFIELD: E Bond; B Punch, K Punch, B O’Leary; J Gibson, D Malone, D O’Neill; E O’Sullivan, J Courtney; D Granger, N Kelly, S O’Donovan; D O’Donovan, D Lucey, P Condon.

Subs: C Horgan for D Granger (43), J O’Donovan for K Punch (47), C Bond for E O’Sullivan (55), T Horgan for D Lucey (57), C Moynihan for B Punch (57), S Riordan for J Moynihan (57).

Referee: L O’Brien (Carbery Rangers).