Final day drama: Knocknagree into first Cork Division 1 final

Castlehaven will meet the Duhallow club in the decider, denying Clonakilty on scoring difference. There were promotion and relegation issues to be decided across the county

DOWN: Douglas' Brendan Powter wins the ball from Castlehaven's Andrew Whelton during their Cork SFL Division 1 clash at Union Hall . Picture; Eddie O'Hare

Knocknagree and Castlehaven will contest Cork's McCarthy Insurance Group SFL Division 1 final following Sunday's hectic final round of fixtures.

Three clubs, Knocknagree, Castlehaven and Clonakilty finished level on twelve points apiece at the summit of the standings. That meant scoring difference came into play with Knocknagree (+21) and Castlehaven (+4) advancing to the league final ahead of Clonakilty (+3).

John Fintan Daly’s Knocknagree overcame Carbery Rangers 1-20 to 1-17 in Rosscarbery to qualify for a league decider in their first year as a Division 1 club.

Anthony O’Connor (0-10) and Denis R O’Connor (1-5) provided the bulk of the Duhallow team’s scores. Despite the loss, Rangers enjoyed a productive league campaign and had Paul Hodnett (0-7), Jerry O’Riordan (1-1) and Dylan O’Neill (0-3) on their scoresheet.

Castlehaven’s 3-11 to 1-10 defeat of Douglas relegated the city club. The Haven’s league final meeting with Knocknagree will be a precursor to the two clubs eagerly anticipated Premier SFC group clash later this summer.

Knocknagree manager John Fintan Daly celebrates. Pic: Eddie O'Hare

Clonakilty’s 0-19 to 0-17 win away to Éire Óg demoted the Ovens side but wasn’t enough to secure a league final berth for the winners. Missing out to Castlehaven by a single point on scoring difference was a tough break for Martin O’Brien’s side.

Darragh Gough top scored for Clon with six points. Ross Mannix (0-4), Dylan Harrington, Sean McEvoy (0-2 each), Chris Kenneally, Seán White, Dan Darragh, Ben Ridegway and Niall Barrett (0-1 each) were also on target. Chris Kelly, Brian Thompson and Mark Griffin were amongst Éire Óg’s scorers on a disappointing day for the hosts.

St Finbarr’s and Cill na Martra were two clubs who surprisingly ended their concluding league fixture in relegation bother. A 1-11 to 0-11 victory ensured Cill na Martra stayed up. So did the Barrs, finishing ahead of second-from-bottom Éire Óg on the head-to-head rule, despite Sunday’s three-point loss.

Sean Ó Duinnín’s goal proved crucial for a Cill na Martra team that also had Danny Ó Connail, Micheál Ó Deasúna, Jason Mac Carthaigh and Michael Ó Duinnín in fine scoring form. Cillian Myers-Murray topped St Finbarr’s scoring chart with six points.

Nemo Rangers required victory over Newcestown to avoid the possibility of relegation from the top tier.

The Trabeg club got off to a positive start and were 0-5 to no score ahead with Jack O’Brien, Luke Horgan and Ross Corkery finding their range. Newcestown hit back but Rangers still enjoyed a five-point lead at the break. Daragh O’Sullivan (3), Barry Cripps, and Corkery efforts moved Nemo seven clear heading into the closing stages.

It finished 0-13 to 0-9 in Nemo’s favour with Micheál Aodh Martin and Stephen Cronin also contributing. Seamus O’Sullivan and Richard O’Sullivan were Newcestown’s only scorers.

Things were more straightforward in Division 2 where Uibh Laoire and Carrigaline had already secured promotion and league final places prior to this past weekend’s fixtures.

A 3-20 to 0-16 midweek victory at home to O’Donovan Rossa confirmed Carrigaline were going up before travelling to Castletownbere. It was the Beara club who registered a 2-12 to 0-12 win to keep alive their hopes of avoiding relegation.

As for Uibh Laoire, the Mid-Cork side confirmed top spot with a four-point defeat of Clyda Rovers.

All that remains to be decided is who drops down to Division 3. Scoring difference could yet come into play between Castletownbere (-23), O’Donovan Rossa (-48) and St Michaels (-51) who currently prop up the table on four points apiece.

Rossa’s are away to West Cork rivals Dohenys next Tuesday night. The following evening, Castletownbere wrap up their league campaign with a trip to Valley Rovers.

Bishopstown, Kanturk and Aghabullogue were in all promotion contention from Division 3 ahead of Sunday’s final round of games.

Aghabullogue’s 0-15 to 1-10 win at home to Bandon heaped pressure on their promotion rivals last Saturday night. Bishopstown and Kanturk responded the following day.

The latter defeated Fermoy 1-12 to 0-12 to seal promotion. Bishopstown proved too strong for Rockchapel to finish top of the table, confirm promotion and setup a league final meeting with Kanturk.

There was an equally exciting finish to this year’s Division 4 county league with Buttevant topping the table on 13 points.

Behind Buttevant, Glanmire’s 3-17 to 0-8 win over Kiskeam was enough to seal elevation to Division 3. As a result, Glanmire (+20) edged out Kilmurry (+11) and Boherbue (-8) on scoring difference for the second promotion slot.

Gabriel Rangers and Aghada have been relegated after accruing a mere five league wins between the two clubs.

Things were equally intriguing in Division 5 where Canovee travelled to Ilen Rovers requiring victory to gain promotion. The Muskerry club won 0-16 to 0-11 and finished second behind Mitchelstown. At the opposite end, Kinsale and Ballydesmond’s indifferent form has resulted in relegation.