Powerful Rangers rally to book place in final

Nemo Rangers 2-9 Carrigaline 0-8

Tremendous free-flowing football from both sides all through, with Barry O’Driscoll a class act for Nemo up front. But even when Carrigaline did put it up to the city kingpins with a late first-half burst, the Trabeg side had the steel and composure to do the business when the going got tough.

A lively competitive opening half, some free-flowing football as Wayne Bruton gave Carrigaline a quick advantage with a point. And they needed it for with Brian Hayes winning some great ball around midfield, Nemo shot into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead after the opening quarter thanks to superb scores from Shane Martin, Greg Browne and Ciaran O’Donovan.

Carrigaline were being outplayed, though Simon O’Brien did have a few good chances. But they were always a threat and in the final five minutes of the half they raised the tempo to sting Nemo with some tremendously worked points.

Dylan O’Keeffe, David O’Regan, Bruton with a free and Eoghan O’Sullivan all delivered and it was Carrigaline who led 0-5 to 0-3.

But in the second-half the Nemo marauders were sublime and set about winning their final place quickly after the restart. O’Donovan pointed, Shane Martin fired home a goal and then the point of the match from the impressive O’Driscoll.

It might well have been worse, Carrigaline keeper Sean Mellett making a fine save to deny Martin a second goal and O’Donovan hitting the upright with the rebound.

In fairness to Carrigaline they gave it everything. Trailing 1-6 to 0-6 entering the final quarter Niall Coakley pointed his second free to leave just two points between the sides.

But that’s as good as it got as Nemo were a class act in the final six minutes. O’Driscoll squeezed home a second goal in the 57th minute and they were on their way to an all-city decider against St Finbarr’s in two week’s time.

Scorers for Nemo: B. O’Driscoll 1-3 (0-2 frees), S. Martin 1-2, G. Brown and C. O’Donovan 0-2 each.

Carrigaline: N. Bruton (0-1 free), D. O’Regan and N. Coakley (frees) 0-2 each, D. O’Keeffe, E. O’ Sullivan 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: D. Farry; T Hayes, D. Buckley, S. Sheehan; R. Kenneally, J. Garvan, P. Hogan; B. Hayes, B. Manning; A. Cronin, S. Martin, G. Browne; C. O’Donovan, B. O’Driscoll, D. McCarthy.

Sub: TJ Looney for T. Hayes (47).

CARRIGALINE: S. Mellett; D. Bagnall, D. Coughlan, K. Kenneally; A. O’Sullivan, C. Hurley, J. Shepherd; E. O’Sullivan, R. Foley; T. Murphy, N. Coakley, D. O’Brien; S. O’Brien, W. Bruton, D. O’Keeffe.

Subs: D. Manley for E. O’Sullivan (35), E. Harrington for Shepherd (44), S. Drake for O’Keeffe (47).

Referee: C. Lane (Banteer).