Ronan’s late blast secures survival for disciplined Carbery

GOALKEEPER Maurice Moloney and goalscorer Mark Ronan steered Carbery Rangers to victory — and a place in next year’s Evening Echo Cork Co SFC — at Newcestown on Saturday.

Moloney denied Derek O’Connor and John Paul Murphy with two great stops in the second half as St Vincent’s battled heroically, but Ronan’s goal in injury time put the issue beyond doubt. The losers didn’t help themselves though with poor discipline disrupting their play. Four St Vincent’s players were yellow carded in the opening half and referee Ger Sweeney could have justifiably been shown red on at least one occasion.

St Vincent’s took the lead with a point from centre-forward Gavin O’Connor, but Rangers quickly drew level following a great strike from impressive corner-forward James Fitzpatrick in the 12th minute.

The winners, with Micheal O’Sullivan and Kevin McMahon on top at midfield, upped the tempo. With John Hayes and Fitzpatrick making their presence felt, the Rangers opened up a three-point gap before John Paul Murphy of St Vincent’s found the target in first-half injury time. Seamus Hayes, who had an outstanding second half, once again increased Carbery Rangers’ lead to three points with a superb kick two minutes after the resumption. Though Kevin Goulding fired over a point for St Vincent’s, Rangers were in the ascendancy. Points from O’Sullivan, corner-back Johnny Murphy — who converted a free — Fitzpatrick and Seamus Hayes opened up a six-point gap before substitute Daniel Duggan fired St Vincent’s last score of the match a minute from the end of normal time.

In between Moloney made his two great saves and Ronan then proceeded to copperfasten Carbery Rangers’ triumph with his goal two minutes into injury time.

Victory and survival for Carbery Rangers. Defeat and dismissal for St Vincent’s.

Scorers: Carbery Rangers: M. Ronan 1-0; J. Hayes 0-3; J. Fitzpatrick 0-3; S. Hayes 0-3; K. McMahon, M. O’Sullivan and J. Murphy (free) 0-1 each. St. Vincent’s: J. P. Murphy 0-2 (0-2 from frees); G. O’Connor, K. Goulding and D. Duggan 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: M. Moloney; S. Murray, Sean Hayes, J. Murphy; G. Ryan, P. Whyte, M. Mennis; M. O’Sullivan, K. McMahon; Seamus Hayes, D. Hayes, B. Shanahan; J. Fitzpatrick, J. Hayes, M. Moore.

Subs: M. Ronan for Moore.

ST VINCENT’S: P. O’Shea; D. O’Regan, A. Fenton, W. Murphy; P. Aherne, W. McCarthy, P. Cunningham; S. Ray, K. Goulding; J. Canniffe, G. O’Connor, J. O’Callaghan; D. O’Connor, J. P. Murphy, C. Barry.

Subs: D. Duggan for Barry; J. Buckley for O’Callaghan; T. O’Sullivan for Canniffe.

Referee: G. Sweeney (Glenville).