Team-by-team guide to the JFC
Preview
Paul Fitzpatrick profiles the 12 teams in the race for the Sean Leddy Cup this year.
BELTURBET
Manager: Declan Farrell
Captain: Stuart Dunne
ACFL finish: 11th in Division 2, won relegation play-off
2024 championship finish: JFC runners-up
First round opponents: Swanlinbar
Good news: They survived in Division 2, despite a scare in the relegation play-off against Redhills, and look well-placed for another bold bid at the Sean Leddy Cup, having lost the final to Knockbride last year.
Bad news: The outstanding Shane Fitzpatrick, arguably the best player on the team in recent years, is away travelling and leaves a huge gap to fill in the centre half-back position.
Key man: Cormac Donohoe. Having missed a couple of season due to injury, the former county U20 midfielder has hit his stride again and is a huge figure in the middle third for the Rorys.
One to watch: Full-back Liam Mulligan is improving all the time and developing into an excellent defender, he’ll have a big role to play for the Rorys.
DRUMALEE
Manager: Peter McGinnity/Kevin Downey
Captain: Eoin Donohoe
ACFL finish: 7th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC quarter-final
First round opponents: Kill Shamrocks
Good news: The return of Gavin Sherlock for the championship for the first time in four years will be a big addition to the team.
Bad news: After 20 years playing on the senior team, Enda McCormick looks set to miss the championship through injury.
Key man: Eoin Donohoe has developed into the leading light.
One to watch: Dean Sherlock. Big, strong and full of running.
DRUNG
Manager: James Reilly
Captain: Barry Watters
ACFL finish: 6th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC group stages
First round opponents: Killeshandra
Good news: They showed last year they are good enough to compete strongly at this level when drawing with Knockbride and beating Belturbet (both eventual finalists) in the group stages. Veterans like Barry Watters, Declan McEntee, Aidan McCaul and Ciaran Galligan are going well.
Bad news: Inconsistency is a problem; they failed to advance to the quarters last year despite those positive results and lost more games than they won in Division 3 this year.
Key man: Ciaran Galligan. The former county man has returned after a successful stint with Ballybay and is a totemic figure around the middle.
One to watch: Ryan O’Reilly has been on the team for a few years and is starting to come into his own.
KILL SHAMROCKS
Manager: Glen Nulty/Darren Greenan
Captain: n/a
ACFL finish: 2nd in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC semi-final
First round opponents: Drumalee
Good news: Kill were one of the most improved teams in the county last year and they picked up where they left off in the ACFL. They lost just one game in the group stage, by a point to Denn.
Bad news: Missing out on promotion to Division 2 was a major disappointment. Kill were very aggrieved over decisions in the game, so much so that they appealed the result.
Key man: Niall McCaffrey - into the veteran stage of his career but still reliable from frees and play.
One to watch: Cian Flynn is a talented young player who has come into the side this year and racked up some impressive tallies.
KILDALLAN
Manager: Feargal Shannon
Captain: John Conaty
ACFL finish: 11th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC quarter-final
First round opponents: Munterconnaught
Good news: They finished the league on a positive note with a win over Drumalee. While it was a difficult campaign, the team has a number of minors now involved which is positive for the future. Overall, the age profile is mixed between youth and a lot of experience.
Bad news: Like several other clubs, Kildallan lost a number of players from last year. Shane McPartland, a very important player around the middle, has a long-term injury and won’t return for the championship. Still struggling for numbers and have a number of players in their 40s - or older.
Key man: Ryan O’Neill is the only county senior panellist and is highly prolific on club duty.
One to watch: James Reilly, a talented minor with a bright future.
KILLESHANDRA LEAGUERS
Manager: Padraig Brady
Captain: Damien Higgins
ACFL finish: 9th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC Shield winners
First round opponents: Drung
Good news: Under the management of Padraig ‘The Gunner’ Brady, the Leaguers’ panel looks a little stronger this year with some veterans having returned.
They finished the league with a win over Kildallan and a draw with Mountnugent which was a timely boost. Young midfielder Charlie Gannon was called into the extended county panel where he is said to have impressed.
Bad news: Two wins in Division 3 does not bode well for championship
Key man: Charlie Gannon.
One to watch: Darragh O’Reilly has the ability to score heavily at this level as he showed in the JFC Shield final last year and some league games this term.
MOUNTNUGENT
Manager: Declan Beard
Captain: n/a
ACFL finish: 10th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC group stages
First round opponents: Templeport
Good news: A number of young players have integrated into the side including Eoin Campbell, Aidan O’Brien, Eoin Gibson, Eamon Carty and Harry Duffy. Seasoned campaigners Reamon Finnegan and Ciaran Caffrey add experience.
Bad news: Last season was a bit of a disaster, with the side leaking eight goals against Kildallan and the same against Redhills, which knocked the stuffing out of them to some extent. League form was poor, with two wins only, against Kildallan and Shannon Gaels, and a few heavy losses.
Liam Hennessy and Leo Campbell are away and Josh Reilly is unfortunately out with an ACL.
Key man: Ned Brunton’s speed, ball-carrying ability and scoring threat make him the danger man.
One to watch: Eoin Gibson.
MUNTERCONNAUGHT
Manager: Stephen McGovern
Captain: Cian O’Shea
ACFL finish: 3rd in Division 3, won semi-final
2024 championship finish: JFC quarter-final
First round opponents: Kildallan
Good news: Promotion to Division 2 was secured with a play-off win over Kill Shamrocks. The Munchies’ squad looks stronger than it has been in many years and they have strong momentum behind them, having turned in a good run in the championship last year too.
Bad news: It’s still a big leap to go and win the championship considering Munterconnaught haven’t played in the final in a long time now.
Key man: Enda O’Shea, place-kicker and a livewire from play.
One to watch: Ryan Nwaneri. A rare talent, last year’s county minor is very athletic and a terrific ball-carrier who could go a long way in the game if he is willing to work at it.
REDHILLS
Manager: Colum Monaghan
Captain: Conor McMahon
ACFL finish: 14th in Division 2
2024 championship finish: JFC semi-final
First round opponents: Shannon Gaels
Good news: A few of the younger lads had to step up due to injuries in the squad and acquitted themselves well, among them Padraig Smith, Niall Martin and Thomas Reilly.
Bad news: Having been promoted last season, endured a tough year in Division 2 with up to 10 players injured, resulting in relegation back to Division 3. The side is ageing with a large cohort of players in their late 30s and 40s.
Key man: Turloc Mooney. If back from injury, Mooney is on a different level to most footballers in this grade. Can do it all – but it will all be needed.
One to watch: Padraig Smith. A young player showing form at the right time, he has settled well into adult football.
SHANNON GAELS
Manager: Padraig Dolan
Captain: Caoimhan McGovern
ACFL finish: 8th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: JFC quarter-final
First round opponents: Redhills
Good news: League form was patchy with quite a few goals leaked but the Gaels are known as a championship side. They retain a core of experience, led by Jason McLoughlin, and have some promising youngsters such as Donnacha Maguire, who can play anywhere from centre-back to full-forward.
Bad news: Niall McGrath is away and Nevin O’Donnell has yet to return. Shane Dolan and Daniel Fitzpatrick are both out with long-term injuries but may be back soon.
Key man: Caoimhan McGovern is the captain of the side and the go-to player up front.
One to watch: Johnny Doherty is still a minor and has played every senior game this year at corner-back and held his own well.
SWANLINBAR
Manager: Barry McKenna
Captain: Sean McGovern
ACFL finish:
2024 championship finish: JFC quarter-final
First round opponents: Belturbet
Good news: Christopher Curran is back training and Gearoid McKiernan has reportedly been around the squad too. Their presencde alone is a plus.
Bad news: Form dipped towards the end of the league, heavy defeats to Kill and Denn. They had hoped to have McKiernan back but the transfer paperwork had not been submitted on time.
Key Man: Ruairi Curran. Generally scores heavily and will be improved after his year training with the county seniors. He'll be the marked man for any team going out to play Swad.
One to watch: Breffni O’Reilly scored a lot in the league. Young but really finding his feet in adult football now. Very skilful.
TEMPLEPORT
Manager: Shane Maguire/Manus McManus
Captain: James Rudden
ACFL finish: 5th in Division 3
2024 championship finish: Relegated from IFC
First round opponents: Mountnugent
Good news: The Saints have handled the mass exodus of experienced players in the last two years better than may have been expected; boosted by the addition of some Corlough men and young players stepping up they just missed out on a top-four league spot.
Bad news: Lacking experience going into championship. A lot of lads starting out their senior careers and few players with a bank of championship games under their belt.
Key Man: Dylan Edwards. Hasn't got much time with the club this year with county duty but the brightest talent in the squad and getting the most out of him will go a long way to deciding how far Templeport go in this championship.
One to watch: Fionán McGovern. First year with the seniors and has been building up form as the league progressed. Ball carrier, plays with his head up.
Talented and athletic, championship football should suit him.
Pick up this week's print edition for a 24-page supplement previewing the three club championships.