Cronin, Corkery and Hayes: Nemo's attacking future becomes the present

Bryan Hayes, Nemo Rangers pictured at the Cork football championship semi-final launch in Pairc Ui Chaoimh: Picture Chani Anderson

Such was the weight of the fixture and the sheer freneticism of fare, the significance of the Nemo Rangers line-up for their county quarter-final victory over Castlehaven was lost on most.

In the fourth season and 21st game where it was possible, Mark Cronin, Ross Corkery, and Bryan Hayes finally started a championship match together in the Nemo attack.

September 27, at Clonakilty, thus became a window into Nemo’s attacking future.

Such were the displays of Corkery and Hayes, Clonakilty on September 27 also became the redrawing of Nemo’s attacking present.

The kids are fit and flying. Their combined potential is no longer a conversation of what could be. September 27 at Clonakilty offered visual representation. The full-time scoresheet confirmed what we all witnessed.

21-year-old Bryan Hayes, in just his second championship start of the campaign, blazed 1-4. Ross Corkery - one year Hayes’ senior - swung over five points, three of them from play. The 0-1 beside the name of Mark Cronin made a mockery of the 26-year-old’s contribution. Nemo’s playmaker assisted four white flags and his supremely intelligent kick pass to Kieran Histon was a noteworthy secondary assist for the last of Corkery’s five.

The opportunity to see the three of them apply brushstrokes to the same championship canvas has been an age coming about.

Injury removed Hayes from the picture for the first season - 2023 - where he was eligible to line out for the club’s flagship team.

2024 brought brief glimpses. Hayes’ 39th minute introduction for Ronan Dalton in their final group game was the first time the three of them stood on the same championship field. This second-half link-up was replicated across Nemo’s subsequent quarter-final and semi-final outings, with Hayes again coming in off the bench to join the other two.

Corkery was the injury absentee for the 2025 campaign. Hayes was in Boston for their 2026 championship opener. It was then Cronin’s turn to be the injury absentee for their second outing of the campaign still running. He was joined by Hayes on the treatment table for their group closer before eventually their three stars aligned two weeks ago.

“I’d say it was the first time me, Mark, and Ross started together - ever. Then to beat the county favourites, it’s obviously even more rewarding,” Hayes began.

“It's reassuring too when you're playing with those two inside, you look up and one of them is moving. They will do damage.” Away from the collective, Hayes’ 1-4 from play - amassed in the opening 20 minutes - was the highest individual tally he has put together in black and green across his 11 championship appearances to date.

Following as it did another interrupted start to his club season, the 1-4 posting was a reminder to himself of what’s in his locker.

“Being away all summer, I was still in Boston for the championship opener, and then coming back, practically the first ball against St Michael’s I got a bit of a knock into the knee.

“It's obviously satisfying [to kick 1-4 against Castlehaven], but I barely touched the ball in the second half then,” comes the praise-defusing reply from a forward who suffered cruciate and significant hamstring setbacks during the end of his underage days.

“I’ve tried to use [those injury setbacks] as learning experiences and to build discipline. Everything happens for a reason. I used the time to try and develop off the pitch, physically, and stuff. So yeah, look, I'm trying to put it to bed now and push on.” 

September 27 at Clonakilty was mentionable for more than Corkery, Cronin, and Hayes releasing their debut album. It marked the first time since the 2022 county final win over the Barrs that Nemo had bettered a fellow member of Cork’s big three.

“In the last few years, there's probably been a shadow over our heads where we're always being doubted. Because of the Nemo legends that have gone before us, we're probably expected to replicate what they've done, which is obviously massive.

“We're trying to fill big boots, but at the same time, when lads are doubting you, it would get into your head. It would motivate you.

“Going down the road to Clonakilty, we were quietly confident. We were due a performance. We knew we were building. Obviously, we're chasing a county now. Four teams left in the competition. Any team can take it. Hopefully this year we can get over the line. Carrigaline is going to be a seriously tough game.” 

Their hand is certainly strengthened for having Cronin, Corkery, and Hayes together inside the whitewash from throw-in.