Super-subs Mehigan and O’Driscoll secure minor double for Nemo

Nemo Rangers 2-10 St Finbarr’s 1-5

Following their Munster Club SFL final victory over Dr Crokes on Saturday, their minors completed the Ulster Bank Cork Co Premier football double at Trabeg with a skilful display against luckless St Finbarr’s who had every chance of upsetting the county champions entering the final quarter when they trailed by just a point and on a high following Eoin Keane’s 44th minute goal.

But enter super-subs Dara Mehigan and Barry O’Driscoll with a goal and a point apiece and it was all over for the Barr’s. Mehigan’s 55th minute goal was particularly annoying for their city rivals, coming from a ‘45, as had his earlier point.

O’Driscoll’s effort was merely the icing on the cake as Nemo again showed they have what it takes - both on and off the pitch - when it comes to winning trophies.

A fine competitive game though in the cold cross-field wind and it took Nemo just 12 seconds to go in front when excellent wing-back Colin O’Brien found the target. But the Barr’s soon showed they were full of running as a Wayne Cotter free followed by a point from play by Darren Roche - after David Bracken had shot agonisingly across goal - put them clear.

However, it was slick Nemo who finished the opening quarter on top as points from Ricky Kenny and Phil Hogan gave them a 0-3 to 0-2 lead. Promising Nemo midfielder Mark Hayes soon doubled their advantage but all the time the Barr’s looked menacing. John Sexton could have had a brace of goals and it took a terrific save from Nemo keeper Roy Heaphy to deny Barr’s centre-back Thomas McCarthy in the 23rd minute at the expense of a point as the Togher side began to open up the Nemo defence.

And they were to pay for those misses as slick Nemo finished the half strongly to lead 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.

Not a lot of scoring in the second-half, though plenty of movement. Barr’s keeper Darren Haines had to make a great stop from the subdued David Kearney and, although Kenny’s second free in the 42nd minute made it 0-8 to 0-4, the Barr’s struck for the opening goal two minutes later when Keane finished off a free from Darren Roche and entering the final quarter just a point separated the sides.

The Barr’s had the impetus now to upset Nemo, but, as so often in the past, Nemo found the winning formula. Those master substitutions made all the difference, Mehigan and O’Driscoll delivering the telling blows.

Scorers: Nemo: D. Mehigan (both 45s) and B. O’Driscoll 1-1 each, R. Kenny 0-2 (frees), C. O’Brien, P. Hogan, M. Murphy, S. Morgan, G. Cummins, D. Kearney, 0-1 each. St. Finbarr’s: E. Keane 1-0, W. Cotter (free), D. Roche, R. O’Dwyer, T. McCarthy, J. Sexton 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: R. Heaphy; S. McCarthy, B. Hodnett, K. O’Donnellan; I. Foley, C. McCarthy, C. O’Brien; M. Hayes, E. Hearne; R. Kenny, P. Hogan, S. Morgan; S. Horgan, G. Cummins, D. Kearney. Subs: D. Mehigan for S. McCarthy, B. O’Driscoll for Horgan, R. O’Sullivan for Morgan, T. Falvey for Donnellan, D. Dalton for Kearney.

ST. FINBARR’S: D. Haines; G. O‘Connor, K. O’Driscoll, P. Kennedy; K. Punch, T. McCarthy, J. Neville; D. Bracken, R. O’Dwyer, W. Cotter, J. Sexton, E. Maher; E. Keane, C. O’Sullivan, D. Roche. Subs: P. O’Riordan for Maher, C. Lougheed for Cotter, K. McCarthy for Roche.

Referee: D. Flemming (Blackrock).