Carbery Rangers eyeing historic final step

SEVEN years ago, Carbery Rangers were still trying to escape from the minefield of West Cork junior football. Now they are preparing for a historic first county senior semi-final tonight in Páirc Ui Rinn.

“It’s a massive occasion for the club,” says club official James Hubbert. “We won the junior and intermediate within a couple of years, and it’s taken us a while to find our feet at senior level. But we’ve enjoying the run hugely and the club has developed greatly in terms of our teams and our facilities since then.

“The All-Ireland final recently was another great boost for the club and the parish with John Hayes and Kevin McMahon with the seniors. We were delighted for the two lads, who’d put a lot of hard work into it. John O’Rourke was unlucky not to be celebrating as well after the minor final.”

Their route to the last four this season has been a whirlwind ride. Defeat in their opening two games to St Finbarr’s and Ballincollig left them at a low ebb but they have plotted their way back into contention.

“It’s been a roller-coaster of a year and we’ve really taken the scenic route. In the first round against St Finbarr’s, it was nip and tuck the whole way, but they got a goal at a crucial time late on. Then against Ballincollig we were decisively beaten on the night and we could have no complaints.

“The Dohenys game was a big turning point. We were after a good win over Na Piarsaigh and then we played some good football against Dohenys. We’ve turned it around well.”

In last Saturday’s quarter-final against Douglas, their prospects looked bleak as they stumbled towards half-time staring at a 10-point deficit. But a trio of converted placed balls by John Hayes propelled them back into contention before the break.

“Those were crucial scores,” admits Hubbert. “It meant we were only six points down instead of nine and were still in the hunt. That was a big thing considering the strength of the wind we’d been playing into. We succeeded in getting a couple of early scores after half-time and that enabled us to take over the match then.

“We’re hoping to repeat that form now against St Finbarr’s. We haven’t beaten them yet in championship after a few good battles. But there’s never been much between us and we’ve plenty motivation to turn them over.”