Western heavyweights vie for knockout spot, Nemo in search of quick bounceback

Both Haven and Clon arrive as opening day winners, which will add to the intrigue, because whoever comes out on top moves nearer to a knockout spot.

Newcestown’s Colm Dineen chases down Nemo Rangers’ Alan O’ Donovan. Pic: Chani Anderson

A capacity crowd is expected to descend upon Rosscarbery Sunday afternoon (3.30pm) to see west Cork heavyweights Castlehaven and Clonakilty lock horns in Group 3 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC, and it should be well worth the visit.

Both teams arrive as opening day winners, which will add to the intrigue, because whoever comes out on top moves nearer to a knockout spot.

In round 1 Castlehaven overcame Ballincollig and while always in control, a concern might be the concession of three goals in that three-point victory. In a remarkable quarter-final last year and as defending champions, they let in six goals against St Finbarr’s that derailed their ambitions, though this is something Seanie Cahalane’s side don’t need reminding of.

No such problem in the Division 1 league final last month, when after a high-scoring battle with Knocknagree a three-goal haul got them over the line with none other than Brian Hurley finding the net in stoppage time.

The Hurleys Brian and Michael are central to their cause, and with nine different scorers in the Ballincollig match, Micheál Maguire is another to watch out for.

Captain Mark Collins, Rory Maguire, Damien and Conor Cahalane remain central, while younger brother Jack Cahalane didn’t feature due to injury.

Clonakilty have to be boosted by their eight-point victory over top-tier newcomers Knocknagree. Up by a single point at the interval, they pushed on in the second half and it was Conor Daly’s goal two minutes from time that clinched the deal.

Daly finished with 1-5, while Dara Ó Sé was consistently impressive. By saving a late penalty, goalkeeper Mark White kept a clean sheet, whilst Maurice Shanley is another they will turn to.

Clonakilty have been within striking distance in recent years. You only have to look back at an agonising one-point group loss to eventual champions St Finbarr’s 12 months ago to see how close they can get.

And yet their top-flight status was on the line when it came to a meeting with Carbery Rangers a few weeks later, which they won to fend off any relegation fears.

So, it would be a breakthrough of sorts if Martin O’Brien’s charges earn the bragging rights.

Meanwhile, to complete this group Knocknagree and an injury-hit Ballincollig face off in Macroom tomorrow (4.15pm) in a high-stakes clash.

In Group 2, Nemo Rangers take on St Michael’s at Páirc Uí Rinn tomorrow with a 4pm start. And this is a hugely important fixture for both following opening day defeats.

Nemo went down by six-points to Newcestown. Maybe not such a surprise considering the city team needed extra-time to get past them in an epic 2025 semi-final.

An Alan O’Donovan goal gave Robbie O’Dwyer’s men the ideal start in round 1, but it was Newcestown grabbed the headlines thereafter. Nemo trailed by seven at the break.

The deficit grew to 10-points midway through the second half.

To their credit, they persevered, with Ross Corkery and Mark Cronin among their chief scorers.

Nonetheless, it is a setback they now have to overcome, meaning the storied Trabeg club need to get a positive result against St Michael’s - an outfit that has proven to be difficult opponents for many a team over the years.

St Michael’s got their campaign off to a tough start also. In a low-scoring contest they lost to Valley Rovers by a couple of points but they’ll be disappointed they weren’t able to snatch a draw, allowing the south-east team in for the final two white flags of the hour.

Especially having been in a good place when they took the lead early in the second half through a Fionnán Leahy goal.

Eoghan Buckley’s enforced absence midway through the game didn’t help.

Elsewhere, Newcestown and Valley Rovers kick off proceedings in Coachford this afternoon at 4pm. And having crucial wins under their belts, this is an opportunity for one of them to bolster their position as a contender.