Cork Business League 2024/2025 Season in Review
The past season, 2024/25, marks the last of its kind as the CBL, the first to do so in Cork, prepares to bravely embrace calendar football for the first time in 2026 with a shortened season beginning in early August and finishing in early December, writes Finbarr Buckley.
And what a send off the new campaign received after a truly momentous season which finished with five new trophy winners, two of whom won league and cup doubles at the first attempt!
Back in the last weekend in August an increased number of twenty-nine teams set out in eight groups to determine who would qualify for the knockout stages of the CBL Shield. In a blistering start an unprecedented eighty goals were scored over the fourteen games with the highlight being the all Premier Division clash between Andy Sull’s Hair and Swift which ASH shaded 4-3. With two qualifying from each group to produce a last sixteen eliminiator, three first division teams,namely, DHF Grangevale, Longboats and Dripsey Celtic and Swift from the Premier Division guaranteed a First Division finalist. DHFGrangevale and Longboats locked horns in the final at St. Colman’s Park on Sunday, March 2nd.
In a thrilling contest, Longboats raced into a two-nil lead by the 19th minute courtesy of a Stephen Dwyer double. Incredibly, goals from Aaron O’Sullivan, Ben Jenkins and Corey Harris edged the Vale ahead by the 26th minute before Davie Scott equalized from a delightful free-kick in the 56th minute. Another free-kick ten minutes later, this time by DHF Grangevale captain Dave Barrett , could only be parried by Longboats’ keeper Eddie Walsh for the alert Brian Murphy to head the winner and seal the Vale’s first trophy success.
With the winners from the previous three seasons, Doolan’s Cow, not participating, the Mick Mooney Challenge Cup competition looked wide open. Once again Longboats carried hopes of teams from outside the top flight when they trounced Satellite Taxis five-nil to make it to the last four and a meeting with Premier Division outfit Healy O’Connor Solicitors on Saturday, March 22nd at Mayfield Sports Complex. Across the harbour, Jay Bazz Barbers faced Swift in their last four showdown at Crosshaven. Longboats never recovered from going two down to goals from John McLoughlin and Kieran O’Driscoll to lose 2-1 while the Barbers were worthy two-nil winners courtesy of goals from David Dunlea and a Sam Heffernan penalty. The final, on Sunday, April 6th was convincingly won for the first time by Jay Bazz who, despite missing a penalty early on and conceding a first-half equalizer after Breffni Kent netted in the 12th minute, late goals from substitutes Kyle McNamara and Jamie O’Driscoll sealed a memorable win.
All three Divisions produced first time winners who remained in contention throughout before pulling away to be victorious with matches in hand. In the Premier Division, Jay Bazz were the early frontrunners before Arc Rovers, who had flirted with relegation the previous season, went on a fine run aided by goals from Paudie Cotter and Timothy Twomey to go top. However, a series of draws opened the door for Rob Twomey’s Swift who showed their quality when it mattered most to win five of their last six fixtures to be crowned champions on Saturday, April 19th following a 3-1 win over Cork Hospitals.
Martin Harvey Solicitors looked to make a quick return to the top division when they led early on in the first division title race. As the season progressed Longboats took over at the top but after twice losing to an emerging DHF Grangevale, their challenge collapsed and the Vale finished strongly to win the title by eight points.
DCT FC were the early leaders in the second division but were keenly being chased by Co. Council, Sabor Brazil Giants and James Corcoran’s ISF Ballyphehane Celtic. After suffering their only defeat to Co. Council, Ballyphehane remained unbeaten for the remainder of the season to close out a first title success by an impressive twelve points.
The season finished on a high with the staging of the three divisional cup competitions which all produced first time winners. First up was the Frank Linehan first division showdown between DHF Grangevale and Martin Harvey Solicitors at Turner’s Cross on Sunday, April 27th . MHS had been one of only two teams to have beaten the Vale in the league but after Vale player-manager and man-of-the-match Diarmuid O’Neill headed the league champions in front in the 19th minute, the dye was cast and further goals by O’Neill and Corey Harris (2) made it a hat-trick of trophies successes for the black and amber.
The Jackie O’Driscoll Premier Division Cup and Second Division Shandon Cup finals were played on successive nights on the 13th and 14th of May at the Mardyke. On the Tuesday, Arc Rovers pipped Swift 4-3 on penalties after a cracking 3-3 draw after extra-time. After Swift led three times through Michael Peters and Eoghan O’Sullivan (2), Rovers fought back on each occasion through Dylan Cruise O’Shea and James Moynihan (2) for Paudie Cotter to apply the winning penalty in the shoot-out.
The following night was the turn of ISF Ballyphehane Celtic and Sabor Brazil Giants to decide who’d win the final silverware of the season, the Second Division Shandon Cup. After Rafael Barreiro spectacularly fired the Giants in front in the 45th minute, Liam Coleman equalized to once again set up an added twenty minutes extra-time. After no further goals were scored, James Corcoran’s Ballyphehane held their nerve to win 3-1 on penalties and seal a memorable double.
DHF Grangevale made it through to the last sixteen of the MIG.ie sponsored Munster Junior Cup after wins over Glenthorn Celtic, Cork Hospitals and Limerick Desmond League representatives Creeves Celtic before narrowing going down 5-3 to MJL highflyers Ringmahon Rangers at Mayfield Park.
I wish to thank my fellow committee members for their assistance along with our dedicated refereeing panel. I wish all our teams, players, coaches and supporters continued success as we embark on our history making short season and onwards to the calendar campaign in 2026!
