Marksman Beausang points Russell Rovers into decider

Nemo dual-star Briain Murphy was forced off late in the first half and the Premier senior football final only a week away.

James Kennefick, Russell Rovers and Kyle Wallace, St. Catherines. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Cork Premier JHC semi-final: Russell Rovers 1-19 Nemo Rangers 1-12 

Russell Rovers set up a Cork Premier JHC final meeting against fellow east Cork side and 2023 finalists St Catherine’s after their seven-point victory over Nemo Rangers in Carrigtwohill on Saturday.

The showdown is due to take place on Sunday November 3.

The favourites, while they remained comfortable throughout, were made to work for the result, the margin brought back to five points with 10 minutes plus stoppage remaining.

But conceding frees when you have such an accurate marksman as Josh Beausang was costly for last season’s Junior A champions Nemo, the Rovers sharp-shooter tallied 1-11 with 1-9 from placed balls.

A big concern for the Capwell side though - with six dual players in their line out - is a groin injury picked up by Briain Murphy, who was forced off late in the first half and the Premier senior football final only a week away.

The one downside for Russell Rovers was a straight red card issued to corner-back James Kennefick for a pull on Conor Horgan with three minutes left to play.

Russell Rovers, who got a bye to the semi-final and had to wait for this tie since early September, were quickly into their stride when Beausang goaled from a 20m free in the fifth minute after he drew the foul.

When wind-assisted Nemo Rangers replied through Alan Cronin after he found the net from the 25 metre mark, they took the lead 1-1 to 1-0 on 12 minutes.

The Shanagarry based club, who went all the way to the All-Ireland junior A club final in 2020, hit nine points on the spin between the 13th and 26th minute. Beausang fired some incredible long-range effort from play and frees, and there was one each from Kieran Walsh, Brian Hartnett and Kevin Moynihan.

Wasteful Nemo eventually finally found the target in the 29th minute through Mark Cronin, followed by their top scorer Shane Horgan.

Kevin Moynihan’s point on the stroke of half time put Russell Rovers 1-10 to 1-3 up.

Coached by Donal Óg Cusack, they extended the lead to 10 points soon after the restart.

Nemo Rangers closed the gap shooting six points to one by the 51st minute - two from sub Conor Horgan, 1-15 to 1-10.

Beausang (3) and Fintan Murray hit final scores to Nemo’s two, as the game entered stoppage time.

Scorers for Russell Rovers: J Beausang (1-11, 1-8 frees, 0-1 65), B Hartnett (0-3), K Moynihan (0-2), L Duggan Murray, K Walsh and F Murray (0-1 each).

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: S Horgan (0-6, 0-3 frees, 0-1 65), A Cronin (1-0), C Horgan (0-2), J Masters (free), A O’Donovan, M Cronin and A Burns (0-1 each).

RUSSELL ROVERS: R Walsh; K O’Brien, E O’Sullivan, K Tattan; F Murray, J Kennefick, R Cummins; K Walsh, D Moynihan; L Duggan Murray, K Moynihan, M O’Dwyer; J Beausang, C Sheehan (Capt), B Hartnett.

Subs: D Ruddy for M O’Dwyer (37), J McGrath for K Moynihan (60 inj), P Lane for K O’Brien (64 inj).

NEMO RANGERS: J Masters; S Cronin, J Cowhig, B Murphy; B O’Neill, A O’Donovan, C O’Donovan; A Cronin, M Cronin; E Dilloughery, B Cripps (Capt), S Horgan; J Coogan, K O’Donovan, J Kearney.

Subs: A Burns for B Murphy (24 inj), C O’Neill for J Cowhig (half-time), C Horgan for E Dilloughery, C Kiely for J Kearney (both 45), G Barrett for B O’Neill (56).

Referee: Maurice Farrell (Newtownshandrum).