Cork Football League Round-up: St Finbarrs and Nemo Rangers lead the way

The Barrs defeated Éire Óg while Nemo overcame Cill na Martra.

Sun, 17 Mar, 2024 - 15:44

John Coleman

After two rounds of the McCarthy Insurance Cork football leagues, there is no team with a 100% record in Division 1 while all 10 teams have points on the board already.

And yet, there is a familiar look to the table as reigning champions, St Finbarr’s, and Nemo Rangers stand on top with 3 points apiece.

The Barr’s were late in getting their campaign underway, but they followed up a draw with Cill na Martra with a 2-10 to 2-7 win over Éire Óg on Saturday morning.

The city side led by 1-8 to 0-1 at the break, Jamie Burns with the goal. An Eoin McGreevey penalty after the break further aided their cause, as did 0-6 from Cillian Myers Murray, and though Éire Óg struck back with goals from Daire McCarthy and Brian Hurley, there was to be no denying the Blues.

Nemo travelled to Páirc Uí Chuana in Cill na Martra and got off to the ideal start with goals from Luke Horgan and Eoin Nation. However, the Gaeltacht men struck back as 1-2 from Jason MacCárthaigh helped them into a 1-7 to 2-1 half time lead.

In tough conditions, Nemo managed to edge back in front with Jack Coogan and Alan O’Donovan to the fore before a late MacCárthaigh free ensured a share of the spoils.

Castlehaven travelled to Ballincollig on Wednesday night and were welcomed with a goal blitz from the home side. In challenging conditions, 1-1 from Dara Dorgan helped Ballincollig to a 1-4 to 0-2 interval lead.

They effectively won the game in the seven minutes after the break as Cian Dorgan and Seán Kiely both raised green flags, and though the Haven fought back with Mark Collins and Michael Hurley sharing 0-8 across the hour, it ended with Ballincollig winning by 3-6 to 0-9.

Newcestown registered their first win of the campaign after they defeated Carrigaline by 1-9 to 0-9 on Thursday. Eddie Keneally was the man for Newcestown, as he hit the home side for 1-5 while Seamus O’Sullivan also kicked 0-3 from play.

Barry Cripps, Nemo Rangers winning this ball from Gearóid Ó Goillidhe, Cill na Martra during their McCarthy Insurance football league division one at Cill na Martra, Cork. Picture Dan Linehan

Brian Coakley and Éanna Desmond both had a brace of points for Carrig as they suffered their first defeat of the campaign. Douglas welcomed Carbery Rangers to the city on Saturday and it was the home side who racked up their first two points of the season as they recorded a 1-7 to 0-8 victory.

Alan O’Hare was the main man for Douglas as he kicked 1-2 while for the Rosscarbery side Daragh Hayes registered 0-5.

Meanwhile, in Division 2 Dohenys made it three wins from three as they defeated Béal Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh by 2-19 to 1-14 on Sunday morning. It was another impressive performance from the West Cork men as Gavin Farr scored 1-6 and Keith White 1-2 while Mark Buckley and Fionn Herlihy both notched 0-4.

Donagh Seartan had 1-2 for the Gaeltacht men, while Conchúr Ó Loingsigh and Diarmuid Mac Tomais were also on form.

Clonakilty opened their campaign with a 4-8 to 0-11 win over Clyda Rovers on Saturday night. Three of those goals arrived in the opening half as Seán White, Seán McEvoy and Chris Kenneally all raised green flags for a Clonakilty side that was bolstered by the availability of Cork men Maurice Shanley and Thomas Clancy.

McEvoy’s second major after the break finished the game as a contest but Clyda, as they do, battled away as Eoin Walsh kicked 0-4 to bring his tally to 0-6 while Niall Burke and David Walsh also found their range.

Fermoy and Kiskeam both suffered defeats in their opening encounters, and it was to be Fermoy who got back to winning ways when the sides clashed on Friday night. Páidí de Róiste was in top form for Fermoy as he helped himself to 2-3 while Cian O’Carroll and Brendan Daly both kicked 0-2.

Thomas Casey had 0-4 for Kiskeam, and Shane O’Riordan and Gene Casey were also on target, but they ended up on the wrong side of 2-9 to 0-10 result.

Finally, Knocknagree registered their first win of the year as they beat Valley Rovers by 1-6 to 0-3, Chris White with the goal for the Duhallow side.