Barryroe GAA

04 November, 2026

WEST CORK CHAMPIONS 2026!

Barryroe 1-9 St. Mary’s 0-9

The Mick McCarthy Cup is coming home to Barryroe once again!

What a day for Barryroe GAA! Our Junior A footballers were crowned West Cork Champions for the second time in four years following a fantastic 1-9 to 0-9 victory over St. Mary’s in Castlehaven on Sunday afternoon.

In front of a tremendous Barryroe following, our lads delivered when it mattered most, showing tremendous heart, determination and composure to claim another memorable championship victory and bring the Mick McCarthy Cup back to the Seven Heads Peninsula.

It was a final that had everything. A tense opening, moments of brilliance, a spirited comeback from St. Mary’s and a nail-biting finish that tested the nerves of every Barryroe supporter in attendance.

Captain Olan O’Donovan led from the front with a superb individual display, contributing 1-3, including a crucial first-half goal that gave Barryroe a commanding advantage. However, St. Mary’s were never going to make things easy and battled their way back into contention, eventually drawing level in the closing stages.

With the pressure firmly on and the championship in the balance, our lads found another gear. A magnificent point from Daniel Moloney restored Barryroe’s lead before Olan O’Donovan and Luke Murphy added the finishing touches to seal a famous three-point victory.

The final whistle sparked scenes of pure joy as players, management and supporters celebrated together on the Castlehaven pitch. After months of hard work, dedication and commitment, the reward was there for all to see as captain Olan O’Donovan proudly lifted the Mick McCarthy Cup.

Scorers for Barryroe: O O'Donovan 1-03; R O'Donovan 0-03 (1 2pt free); S Holland, L Murphy and D. Moloney 0-01 each.

Scorers for St. Mary's: O Corcoran 0-03 (0-01 free); B. McCarthy 0-02 (1 2ptfree);J. Eady 0-02 (0-01 free); R O'Connor and E Cullinane 0-01 each

BARRYROE: L Colbert; M Walsh, S O'Riordan, J. Moloney; C Dineen, D O'Sullivan, D Moloney; D Dineen; T O'Buachalla; O O'Donovan, L Murphy, A McSweeney; M Collins, S Holland, R O'Donovan.

Subs: D McCarthy for D O'Sullivan (38m); J. Collins for S. Holland (49m); A Fleming for A McSweeney (60m).

ST. MARY'S: P Daly; W Hennigan, R Scannell, D Curtin; P McMenamin, B Everard, J Hurley; R O'Connor, C. McGillicuddy; E Cullinane, D O'Donovan; M O'Driscoll; O. Corcoran, J Eady, E Keohane.

Subs: B McCarthy for M O'Driscoll (h.t); N Kelleher for P McMenamin 50m

Referee: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers)

A Special Group of Players

Winning a West Cork Championship is never easy. Winning two in the space of four years is an achievement that deserves enormous recognition.

This latest success is a testament to the quality, character and togetherness of this group of players, who have once again delivered a championship title to our club.

Throughout the campaign, the lads have shown tremendous commitment to the Barryroe jersey, overcoming difficult challenges and producing big performances when they were needed most.

A huge congratulations must also go to the management team, whose dedication, preparation and countless hours of work behind the scenes have played such an important part in this success.

Every player and member of the backroom team can take immense pride in what has been achieved.

A Victory for the Entire Parish

While the players delivered on the pitch, the support they received throughout the championship was equally special.

In the lead-up to the final, the parish was transformed into a sea of blue and navy. Flags, bunting, signs and decorations could be seen throughout the area, creating a fantastic atmosphere and showing just how much this club means to our community.

On Sunday, that support followed the team to Castlehaven, where a huge Barryroe contingent cheered the lads on from start to finish.

The celebrations afterwards, both on the pitch and throughout the parish, were a wonderful reminder of the unique place that the GAA holds in our community.

To everyone who attended matches, helped decorate the parish, supported our fundraising efforts or contributed in any way throughout the year, we extend our sincere thanks.

We also know that many Barryroe people living elsewhere in Ireland and overseas were following every kick of the ball. No matter how far from home you may be, this victory is yours to celebrate too.

A Day to Remember

Days like Sunday are what all the hard work is about. They are the days that young players dream of, that supporters cherish and that become part of a club’s history.

For the second time in three years, Barryroe can proudly call themselves West Cork Junior A Football Champions. It is a remarkable achievement for our club and one that everyone involved should savour.

To our players and management, thank you for the memories, the excitement and the pride you have brought to our parish throughout this championship campaign.

The Journey Continues

While the celebrations are well deserved, the journey doesn’t end here! Our attention now turns to the County Junior A Football Championship as we look to carry the momentum of our West Cork triumph into the next stage of the campaign.

We face Castlemagner this Sunday, with the venue yet to be confirmed. Having enjoyed such fantastic support throughout the West Cork Championship, we hope to see another strong Barryroe following getting behind the lads as they look to keep this remarkable journey going.

There’s plenty more football to be played, and hopefully plenty more memories to be made!

Barryroe vs Castlemagner

Sunday, November 8th @ 2pm

Venue TBC

The Mick McCarthy Cup is back in Barryroe, the blue and navy are flying high, and we are West Cork Champions once again!

Barra Rua Abú!

To see the full album of photos & videos from the match day, the night of celebrations and the school visit, please see the clubs Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/share/19hY6P5Hso/?