Finely-tuned Rangers show their mettle to master Clon

Carbery Rangers issued a significant statement of intent at the opening hurdle of the Cork SFC in Dunmanway last night when they swept past Clonakilty.

The Rosscarbery side may have seen their 2011 campaign ended by local rivals Castlehaven at the semi-final juncture, but made no mistake in another West Cork derby this year. Memories of the 16-point hiding against Clonakilty during their first senior football season six years ago rescinded last night as Carbery Rangers conjured up a dominant display.

They fielded a starting 15 that varied in terms of personnel and positioning from that which fell short last September. Those alterations worked well for the side, particularly in the redeployment of players to different sectors of the pitch. The most striking change saw John O’Rourke, a wing-forward on the recent Munster U21FC winning Cork side, relocated to centre-back and he was excellent in anchoring his team’s challenge.