Connolly stars in Nemo victory

Reigning Cork U21 football champions Nemo Rangers got their city championship campaign off to a winning start as they defeated St Finbarr’s 0-8 to 0-5 at Ballinlough yesterday.

Having played against the wind in the first half, Nemo led 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, Luke Connolly with all of their points, while Jamie Burns accounted for three of the Barr’s points.

Nemo began the second half well and had built up a four-point lead by the 45th minute. While they didn’t score again, strong defending, epitomised by Kevin Fulignati and Stephen Cronin, saw them through to a semi-final clash with Douglas.

Elsewhere, two Conor Dorman goals and four points from Sam Oakes helped Bishopstown to a 2-11 to 1-5 win over St Michael’s, for whom Shane O’Keeffe goaled. Douglas overcame St Nicholas on a 6-4 to 0-9 scoreline, Alan Cadogan (two), Seán Collins, Dave Hanrahan, Paul Beale and Conor O’Brien with their goals.

David Goold scored 1-4 as Macroom edged past Kiskeam in the quarter-final of the Tom Creedon Cup. Macroom led by 1-7 to 0-3 after playing with a strong first-half breeze, and though Gene Casey got a Kiskeam goal after the break, Pa Lucey frees ensured that Macroom prevailed.

Clyda Rovers qualified for the last eight as they beat Fermoy 1-11 to 2-6. Colin Ronayne’s goal for Clyda was the first score of the game and they led 1-6 to 1-3 at half-time. Rory O’Hagan and James Campion got Fermoy’s goals.

In the other last-16 match, Kieran Boyce got a goal while Anthony Nash and Ian Walsh got two points each as Kanturk beat Grenagh 1-8 to 1-4. On Saturday, Máirtín Ó Conchúir scored all but one point as Cill na Martra beat Glanmire 0-8 to 0-3.

There was just one Tadhg Crowley Cup game played in the last few days. On Thursday night, Kevin O’Sullivan scored 1-3 as Ilen Rovers defeated Clonakilty 1-6 to 0-5.