Nemo edge six-goal thriller against Bandon but fail to qualify for knockout stages
Bandon's Michael Cahalane seconds before delivering the first goal of the game. Pic: Noel Sweeney
A bizarre finish to a six-goal thriller – both Bandon and Nemo Rangers were left torn whether to attack or defend.
With Nemo Rangers ahead in added time with a three-point cushion, both sides opted for the safer approach.
While it worked out for Bandon, who avoided the relegation playoff with Ilen Rovers on scoring difference – Naomh Abán’s win over Bantry means Nemo are out of the Premier Intermediate Football Championship.
Prior to Michael Cahalane’s free in the 61st minute, it had been a drama-ridden second half in Ballygarvan on Saturday evening.
The Carbery outfit had gone from three points up to six points down in the space of six minutes – and needed to respond or they’d be facing a relegation playoff.
With a quarter of hour to go, trailing 3-6 to 1-6 – they battled on.
Two points from Cahalane cut the deficit to four, before Cian O’Mahony produced a stunning goal in the 50th minute. He struck it brilliantly from a tight angle, curling it around Donagh O’Leary.
A point from Jonathon Mulcahy 40 seconds later drew parity, but by the 52nd minute Rangers had restored a three point lead, this time as Mark Hill finished with the assist from Brian O’Connor.
The teams hit one more each but that would be it – Bandon had done enough, and weren’t going to risk the concession of a fifth goal.
After such a positive first half it was a disappointing result for the west Cork side.
They powered into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead by the end of the first quarter, with Michael Cahalane getting the goal as he finished from close range. He was assisted by an inch-perfect kick pass from Mark Sugrue, who had just returned from injury.
Nemo Rangers did battle back and cut the lead to four by the end of the second quarter – and Bandon’s 1-6 to 0-5 didn’t last long on the resumption.
With the wind, Nemo pointed from a free, and in the 39th minute hit the first of three green flags in a row.
Gary Sayers went for a point from range, but it dropped short and a slight touch from Conor O’Donovan set up Ciaran Dalton, and he netted from point blank.
Sayers was involved again three minutes later but with intention this time – as he picked out Bryan Hayes who ran through before smashing it into the net.
Hayes then passed to O’Donovan who set up Colm Kiely for their third goal in six minutes, and suddenly it was 3-6 to 1-6 with 45 minutes played.
The sudden turn took Bandon by surprise and their hopes of avoiding the relegation playoff began to fade – but the team stepped up immensely to close up the gap and draw level, even if they were eventually beaten.
The fall through the grades had been halted.
For the first time since 2020, Bandon won’t be relegated in either code.
C Kiely 1-3, B Hayes, M Hill, C Dalton 1-0 each, J Cogan 0-2 f, G Sayers, D Quinn 0-1 f each.
M Cahalane 1-5 (0-3 f), C O’Mahony 1-0, D Crowley, C Long, P Calnan, E McSweeney, J Mulcahy 0-1 each.
D O’Leary; A McGowan, S O’Dwyer, M Hill; C Shaloe, D Quinn, C O’Neill; L O’Neill, C Cusack; C Kiely, J Cogan, C Dalton (Cpt); B Hayes, C O’Donovan, G Sayers.
B O’Connor for Sayers (48) E Mangan for C O’Neill (55).
C McCarthy; S Ahern, B Crowley, E McSweeney; C Twomey, P Murphy (Cpt), C O’Mahony; T Twohig, J Mulcahy; C Calnan, D Crowley, C Long; M Cahalane, P Calnan, M Sugrue. Subs: D O’Donovan for P Calnan (38), J Calnan for Sugrue (53).
Brian Sweeney (Erin’s Own)
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