Nemo sent out an early warning with their dismissal of Valleys

Nemo Rangers 3-14 Valley Rovers 1-6

NEMO RANGERS brushed aside a tame Valley Rovers in the first round of the Cork Senior football championship, at Pairc Uí Rinn, on Saturday.

Nemo, without Luke Connolly, Kevin O’Donovan and Kevin Fulginati, showed that strength-in-depth is needed to win this championship.

It only took two minutes for wing back Shane Martin to show his class, with an opportunist point for Nemo. A minute later, he finished another sweeping Nemo move. 

The Innishannon side Rovers were unable to get possession and they were punished with a wonderful Nemo goal in the fourth minute. Following a six-man move, Conor Horgan placed a pinpoint pass to Kevin O’Donovan, who gave the keeper no chance from close range.

Valley Rovers had to wait 16 minutes for their opening point, from a John Cottrell free. The Trabeg outfit pushed on and when Barry O’Driscoll nailed a 45, in the 17th minute, they increased their lead to eight points.

Just when Valley Rovers were getting more possession, they were punished with a second textbook goal, in the 21st minute. Paul Kerrigan avoided two tackles, before assisting Barry O’Driscoll, who guided the ball past the keeper.

Trailing 2-9 to 0-3, Valley Rovers needed a good start to the second half, but they were startled by the outstanding O’Driscoll, who kicked a classy point just four minutes in. Although Valley Rovers were out of their depth, they were given hope in the 41st minute. 

A high ball into the square wasn’t dealt with by Michael Aodh Martin, but Danny O’Sullivan guided the ball into the empty net. Nemo almost responded straight away, but Paul Kerrigan’s shot was saved by the Valley Rovers keeper, Cormac Desmond. But Kerrigan assisted a second goal, scored by Conor Horgan.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: B O’Driscoll 1-5 (0-1f, 45), K O’Donovan 1-1, C Horgan 1-0, P Kerrigan 0-3 (f), S Martin 0-2, M Cronin 0-2, A Cronin.

Valley Rovers: D O’Sullivan 1-0, E Delaney 0-2, J Cottrell 0-2 (f), A Walsh, D Lynch (0-1 each).

NEMO: M A Martin; P Neenan, A O’Reilly, A Cronin; S Martin, S Cronin, K O’Donovan; P Morgan, J McDermott; J Horgan, P Kerrigan, C O’Brien; M Cronin, B O’Driscoll, C Horgan.

Sub: B Murphy for S Martin (inj 15).

VALLEY ROVERS: C Desmond; A Lyons, D Lynch, D Muckian; J Kiely, A Walsh, I Crowley; W Hurley, K Canty; C O’Leary, D Lordan, F Lynch; N O’Donovan, E Delaney, J Cottrell.

Subs: D O’Sullivan for F Lynch (inj 20), D O’Shea for A Walsh (46).

Referee: Conor Lane (Banteer).