Éire Óg and Carbery Rangers advance direct to Cork SAFC semis on dramatic final Sunday

Rosscarbery men edge out group rivals Cill na Martra and Newmarket on scoring difference as all finish on four points. 

Clyda Rovers’ Gary Deane and Bishopstown’s Kieran McFadden battle for possession in what was essentially a relegation play off duel at Pairc Ui Rinn on Sunday. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Éire Óg secured the first of the coveted semi final slots in Cork's SAFC as the only side to garner a maximum six points from six in the group phase. The Ovens side were comprehensive 0-24 to 0-9 winners over Kilshannig in Grenagh.

Joining them in a guaranteed last four slot are Carbery Rangers, but the Ross men pinched the spot in rather more dramatic circumstances, beating Newmarket 1-19 to 2-8 in Carrigadrohid, elimninating the Duhallow club in the process, and edging their other group rivals Cill na Martra by one point in the scoring differerence. All three finished on four points but Carbery Rangers eight point win over Newmarket edged them past the quarters and directly into the semis.

The SAFC quarter final ties will be between Kanturk and Kilshannig and a tasty Gaeltacht derby between Cill na Martra and Beal Atha'n Ghaorthaidh.

Kanturk drew 2-8 to 1-11 with Aghabullogue in Macroom to finish unbeaten atop Group A but with two draws from four games. Ballingeary were runners up in Group A after seeing off Dohenys in Kilmichael on Sunday, 1-17 to 1-10.

Clyda Rovers and Skibbereen's O'Donovan Rossa will play off to determine who is relegated to Premier IFC in 2027. Bishopstown edged out Clyda in a nervy battle in Pairc Ui Rinn, 2-14 to 0-13 to ensure the city side avoided any relegation concerns. They finished with 12 players — a red and two late black cards — while Clyda finished with 14 after they picked up a red.
Clyda are clearly missing a spark without their Cork forward Conor Corbett.

They lost Garry Deane to a straight red after 37 minutes when they were six points behind.

The results from the final round of Cork SAFC ties on Sunday were: Carbery Rangers 1-19 Newmarket 2-8, Éire Óg 0-24 Kilshannig 0-12, Bishopstown 2-14 Clyda Rovers 0-13, Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh 1-17 Dohenys 1-10, Cill na Martra 1-20 O'Donovan Rossa 2-6, Kanturk 2-8 Aghabullogue 1-11.