Cork SFL: Carrigaline go top of Division 1 as Nemo edge Ballincollig

Carbery Rangers were another team to reach 5 points after they came out on top of a close and tense tie with Castlehaven.

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024 - 16:35

John Coleman

St Finbarr’s were on top of Division 1 of the McCarthy Insurance Cork Football Leagues going into round 4 over the weekend, but when their clash with Newcestown fell foul of the weather on Thursday, the door was open for Carrigaline to take their place.

The Carrigdhoun outfit grasped that opportunity when they defeated Douglas by 0-11 to 0-8 on Saturday. They took advantage of the wind at their backs in the opening half as 0-3 from Éanna Desmond and a brace of points from Niall Coakley gave them a 0-8 to 0-3 interval lead. A 0-4 haul from Colm Joyce and an Alan O’Hare free did manage to bring Douglas level, but 2 more points from Desmond along with Callum Barrett’s second of the day earned Carrigaline the win.

Nemo Rangers joined the Barr’s on 5 points as a result of their 0-12 to 0-11 win over Ballincollig on Sunday morning. Paul Kerrigan and Gary Sayers both registered 0-3 for Nemo while Stephen Cronin chipped in with a valuable 0-2 from wing back. Cian Dorgan continued his fine form for Ballincollig as he kicked 0-4 while Sean Kiley and Mark Oldham both contributed 0-2.

Carbery Rangers were another team to reach 5 points after they came out on top of a close and tense tie with Castlehaven. The Haven led by 1-3 to 0-5 at the break thanks to a Liam O’Mahony goal as Darragh Hayes clipped over a couple of points for the Rosscarbery side. Two more from Hayes in the final quarter pushed Carbery 2 clear, but when Mark Collins answered with 2 of his own for the reigning county champions, a draw seemed to be on the cards. Paul Hodnett had other ideas, however, as he kicked a late winner to secure Carbery Rangers a 0-13 to 1-9 win.

A draw was the outcome when the final whistle blew on Cill na Martra’s clash with Éire Óg. Jason MacCárthaigh continued his fine form for the Gaeltacht side, kicking 0-4 while Shane Ó Duinnín clung a goal. Eoin O’Shea hit 1-1 for the Ovens men, while Brian Hurley kicked 0-5 and the final one of his points seemed to have given his side the win. However, there was still time for Dan Ó Duinnín to level the tie at 1-11 each.

Nemo Rangers' Paul Kerrigan tries to get away from Ballincollig's J P Murphy, during their SFL clash in Ballincollig.

Dohenys remain on top of Division 2 despite falling to their first defeat of the season against Valley Rovers. 0-3 from Fiachra Lynch helped the Rovers to a slender 0-5 to 0-4 half time lead, and from there the Innishannon men kicked on. Adam Walsh Murphy kicked 4 second half points and Adam Kenneally registered 1-2. Gavin Farr did strike for a major for the Dunmanway men, but it was the Valleys who took the win by 1-12 to 1-6.

Clonakilty made it 3 wins from 3 as they eased to a 1-21 to 0-4 win over Kiskeam. The flags flew at half-mast after the sudden passing of Danny White last week as Clon dominated from the start and led by 0-13 to 0-2 at the break with Brian White, Sean Daly and Aaron Cullinanae on target as Kiskeam’s only response was points from Daniel Fitzgerald and Seán O’Sullivan. Clon continued to dominate on the resumption with Daly kicking another 0-3 and Sean McEvoy striking for 1-1 while Thomas Casey had the points for Kiskeam.

Beál Átha ‘n Ghaorthaidh earned their second win of the campaign as they edged Clyda Rovers by 2-7 to 1-9 in Mourneabbey on Saturday. Donagh Seartan and Conchúir Ó Loingsigh were the main men for the Gaeltacht side as they both hit Clyda for 1-2. Eoghan Walsh was Clyda’s top scorer with 0-5 while their goal came form Chris Kenny.

St Michael’s played 2 games over the week with 2 wins edging them into the top half of the table. Last Tuesday they defeated O’Donovan Rossa by 1-13 to 1-6. Adam Hennessey and Liam O’Sullivan both kicked 0-4 while Eoin de Búrca had 1-1 from midfield.

On Sunday they travelled to Knocknagree and again they tasted victory. Eric Hegarty, Andrew Murphy and Keith Hegarty all had 0-2 each but when Niall O’Connor found his range for Knocknagree to level the game with 5 minutes to go, a draw seemed to be on the cards. However, Eric Hegarty’s late goal gave the city men a 1-8 to 0-8 win.

Finally, Fermoy and O’Donovan Rossa’s clash was another victim of the inclement weather.