Five goals for Nemo deny Macroom a place in the PIFC quarter-finals

Macroom 4-13 Nemo Rangers 5-8 

NEMO Rangers super-sub Ronan Dalton inspired his side into the next round as his late scoring heroics ensures his side denied Macroom by virtue of scoring difference.

Macroom required a six-point win against Nemo Rangers to secure second place. Macroom seemed poised to advance when Sean Kiely moved them seven points clear in the 55th minute. 

Ronan Dalton however emerged the hero as his late scoring heroics ensured they only lost by two points. Nemo progress, while Macroom exit this year’s championship.

Macroom grabbed their opening goal in the 13th minute through Dylan Twomey which moved his side two points clear. The response from Nemo Rangers was emphatic as Luke Horgan netted their first goal which reinstated their one-point lead after 14 minutes.

Nemo Rangers moved through the gears in the second quarter as they netted two goals in five minutes from full-forward duo Colm Kiely and Jack Coogan which moved them four points clear after 27 minutes. Macroom finished the half strongly with Eolan O’Leary netting. 

This reduced the arrears to one at half-time, 3-4 to 2-6.

Macroom performed better in the second half. Fintan Goold moved Macroom four clear after he fisted to the net in the 43th minute. 

Macroom seemed poised for a comfortable win when Alan Quinn netted in the 50th minute. Kevin Fulignati however responded with a goal for Nemo which reduced the deficit to five points after 53 minutes. 

Successive points from David Horgan and Kiely moved Macroom seven points clear and within touching distance of the knockout stages.

Nemo finished strongly however with Ronan Dalton excelling. He scored 1-3 in the closing stages to thwart Macroom.

Scorers for Macroom: D Twomey 1-4 (0-2 f), S Kiely 0-5, E O’Leary 1-0, F Goold 1-0, A Quinn 1-0, E O’Gorman 0-2 (0-1 mark), D Horgan, C O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Nemo Rangers: R Dalton 1-4 (0-4 f), C Kiely 1-1, L Horgan 1-0, J Coogan 1-0, K Fulignati 1-0, E Dilloughrey 0-2, A Greaney 0-1 f.

MACROOM: B O’Connell; G Angland, R Buckley, J Murphy; E O’Leary, T Dineen, M Corrigan; A Quinn, D Horgan (c); S Kiely, F Goold, D Creedon; C O’Sullivan, D Twomey, E O’Gorman.

Subs: K O’Dwyer for E O’Leary (30), C O’Donovan for D Creedon (53), B O’Gorman for K O’Dwyer (60).

NEMO RANGERS: L Towler; C Shalloe, A O’Reilly, S O’Dwyer;A Browney, C O’Shea, K Fulignati; J Lyons, S Martin; E Dilloughrey, L Horgan, C Dalton; C Kiely, J Coogan, A Greaney.

Subs: R Dalton for C Dalton (32), J O’Donovan for J Lyons (43), A O’Donovan for S Martin (43).

Referee: Andrew Whelton (Clonakilty).