Corkery’s stunning goal seals Nemo win

Nemo Rangers 1-12 St Finbarr’s 1-8

That precious commodity was again evidenced to the full at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday night when Nemo successfully staved off a tremendous challenge from St Finbarr’s to qualify for the Permanent TSB Cork County SFC final for the fourth successive season.

Nemo’s character was put to the test in no uncertain manner seven minutes into the second half when centre-forward Cathal McCarthy punched home a goal to edge St Finbarr’s in front by a point. The gauntlet was well and truly thrown down to the champions of the past two years.

But Nemo’s response to the stern test that faced them was magnificent and a goal of absolute individual splendour from team captain Colin Corkery decisively turned the delicately balanced scales in their favour nine minutes from the end of a rip-roaring second half.

St Finbarr’s, with midfielders Aidan O’Shea and Mick Ryan playing their hearts out, really put it up to Nemo. But disappointingly for the Blues, the two forwards they depended on most to power them to victory, Fionan Murray and Jim O’Donoghue, failed to deliver the goods. Murray scored three points from frees and it was his high lofted free from the right wing that led to McCarthy’s goal. But in general play, Murray was outclassed by Nemo’s splendid full-back Niall Geary.

O’Donoghue was also outplayed by brilliant right-half-back Gary Murphy, who scored two fabulous points from play, when this semi-final was in the melting pot during the closing quarter.

The failure of their two “big guns” to fire on all cylinders cost the Barrs dearly. While in sharp contrast, Colin Corkery played a real captain’s part for Nemo, and contributed enormously to their successful passage to a final meeting with Bishopstown on October 6.

It took both sides a long time to settle. They were level on four occasions in an error-ridden opening half before Nemo, with two majestic points from Joe Kavanagh and Corkery, propelled their way into a 0 6 to 0 4 interval lead.

In the outfield exchanges, the Barrs were more than a match for Nemo but they lacked the more clinical finish of the back-to-back champions and, perhaps, more importantly, they gave away possession in a most disconcerting and frustrating manner. However, when Cathal McCarthy, who played very intelligent football on the 40, got his fist to Murray’s lob to nudge the Barrs in front in the 37th-minute, the fireworks really exploded.

The Barrs confidence began to soar and Nemo’s bid for three-in-a-row was under threat. And when Steven O’Brien most determined effort to goal was breathtakingly saved by John O’Brien, more than a shiver of apprehension began to ripple on the horizon for Nemo. It was cracking stuff now, the most mundane first half lost in a memory haze. They were level on three subsequent occasions as the Barrs strove for an unexpected victory, and Nemo grimly fought to hold on to their cherished crown.

Then, like a thief in the night, Colin Corkery struck. Corkery, whose work rate on this occasion was more than admirable, picked up a pass from Alan Cronin, some 40 metres from the Barrs goal on the left-hand touch line.

Embarking on a surging solo run, the big frame of Corkery brushed aside the feeble attempts of several Barrs defenders to halt his progression and then he let fly.

This stunner of a goal sealed Nemo’s triumph and even though the Barrs never threw in the towel, with O’Donoghue, now much more prominent, the Blues never looked like pulling it out of the fire.

Scorers. Nemo Rangers. C. Corkery 1-4 (0-3 from frees), J. Kavanagh O-2, A. Cronin 0-2, G. Murphy 0-2, K. Cahill and D. Kavanagh 0-1 each.

St. Finbarr’s. C. McCarthy 1-1; F. Murray 0-3 (0-3 from frees); I. Keeler, K. Kelleher, R. Curran and R. O’Mahony 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: D. Heaphy; L. Kavanagh, N. Geary, B. O’Regan; G. Murphy, M. Daly, M. Cronin; K. Cahill, M. McCarthy; L. O’Sullivan, S. O’Brien, A. Cronin; J. Kavanagh, C. Corkery, A. Morgan. Subs. D. Mehigan for O’Sullivan; W. Morgan for J. Kavanagh (blood substitution); Kavanagh for Morgan; D. Kavanagh for McCarthy; J. P. O’Neill for S. O’Brien; W. Morgan for A. Morgan; S. O’Brien for Cahill.

ST FINBARR’S. J. O’Brien; R. McCarthy, E. Burke, M. Desmond; T. Olden, R. Curran, P. McSweeney; A. O’Shea, M. Ryan; I. Keeler, C. McCarthy, J. O’Donoghue; R. O’Mahony, F. Murray, K. Kelleher. Subs. A. Fitzpatrick for O’Shea blood substitution); A. O’Shea for Fitzpatrick; Fitzpatrick for Kelleher.

Referee: N. Barrett.