Nemo edge Rockchapel on score difference to sneak into knockouts

Nemo matched their required win margin to break Rockchapel hearts.

Sat, 09 Sep, 2023 - 21:09

Therese O’Callaghan

Nemo Rangers 4-11 Rockchapel 2-13

In an epic Bon Secours Cork Premier IFC Group A at Kilmurry this evening, Nemo Rangers secured a quarter-final berth against Bantry Blues, after they pipped Rockchapel by the narrowest of margins when it came to score difference.

Nemo came into this encounter with two losses, so they had to win by four points, which is exactly what they did. Both these teams finished with two points on the board, with Castletownbere topping the group on six and going straight to the semi-final.

Nemo emerged with plus 2, Rockchapel plus 1.

The teams were level at half-time, 2-4 to 1-7 and when Jack Curtin netted for Rockchapel with seven minutes remaining to put them three points up, they appeared to be heading in the right direction.

But Ephie Fitzgerald’s side found a way to survive.

From there to the end, they struck 2-2 - Colm Kiely landed both goals, while Jack Coogan and Kieran O’Sullivan kicked the vital points.

It was too late for Rockchapel to recover. Liam Collins pointed a free deep in stoppage, but it wasn’t enough.

It was hard luck on them, as from the first whistle, this was a frenetic and fantastic game of football.

This was Nemo’s second team and they planted a pair of goals in the opening 20 minutes, the first from captain Ciarán Dalton while the second came from Eddie Mangan, 2-1 to 0-4.

But Rockchapel should have been closer, as they spurned two goal chances. Despite this, they ploughed on with Seamus Hickey recording one of their best points from an overhead kick.

They edged in front four minutes from the break when Mikey McAuliffe netted, and points followed from Shane Curtin and McAuliffe.

The match continued at a hectic pace, Kiely levelling on the stroke of half-time.

The teams were tied on three more occasions with Jack Coogan very much to the fore for Nemo, whilst Jack Curtin and Hickey were the providers for the Rock.

A Coogan free in the 50th minute steered the city side in front, 2-9 to 1-11.

Jason O’Callaghan pegged it back. And on it went. Jack Curtin’s green flag then put daylight between the sides.

But Nemo were motoring well too. Kiely’s goal, which came after a sweeping move upfield, was an instant reply.

His second major - following a quick free from Coogan - arrived after Coogan and O’Sullivan points.

They were firing on all cylinders now.

Requiring a four-point winning margin, they pushed it to five.

Liam Collins kicked over a Rockchapel free, but Nemo prevailed by the exact margin they required.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: C Kiely (2-1), J Coogan (0-6, 0-2 frees), C Dalton (1-1), E Mangan (1-0), J O’Donovan, E Nation and K O’Sullivan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Rockchapel: J Curtin (0-1 free) and M McAuliffe (1-3 each), S Hickey (0-3), S Curtin, J O’Callaghan, L Collins (free) and J McAuliffe (0-1 each).

NEMO RANGERS: C Martin; T O’Brien, A McGowan, O Whyte; S Burke, K O’Sullivan, C Coughlan; J O’Donovan, C Cusack; B O’Neill, C Kiely, C Dalton (Capt); E Mangan, J Coogan, E Nation.

Subs: C O’Neill for E Mangan (60).

ROCKCHAPEL: C Casey; B Carroll, E O’Callaghan, P Curtin; S Curtin, M O’Keeffe, E Murphy; S Hickey, Ciarán Curtin; W Murphy, J Curtin, J O’Callaghan; M McAuliffe, Cormac Curtin, J McAuliffe.

Subs: E Collins for W Murphy (50), L Collins for Cormac Curtin (53), K Collins for J O’Callaghan (58).

Referee: Pat O’Leary (Kilmurry).