Premier SFC: Nemo Rangers grind it out against Clonakilty to book a semi-final spot

Nemo Rangers: 0-5 

Clonakilty: 0-4 

NEMO RANGERS defeated Clonakilty in the Bon Secours Hospital Premier SFC quarter-final at a rain-lashed Charlie Hurley Park in Bandon on Saturday evening.

This encounter was played in very difficult weather conditions throughout the hour with heavy rain and a strong wind making it challenging for the players. Nemo Rangers used their experience in the second-half, helped by the wind, to come out on the right side of a low scoring contest.

The reward for the reigning champions is a semi-final meeting with either Douglas or Duhallow.

Clonakilty were aided by the strong wind in the opening 30 minutes and made a positive start in extremely difficult conditions when Liam O’Donovan kicked a beauty of a point after two minutes, which was made by Seán White who stopped a Nemo Rangers attack.

There was a big crowd considering the conditions, and it was no surprise it was a low scoring encounter riddled with mistakes. Every score was a valuable one and Clonakilty pushed two points clear in bizarre fashion, Conor Daly’s free dropped short only to bounce off Nemo full-back Briain Murphy and the ball went over the bar, 0-2 to 0-0 after nine minutes.

Playing into the wind, Nemo registered their first point after 15 minutes through a Conor Horgan fisted effort. Clonakilty pushed two points clear when Ross Mannix landed a free from a mark after winning a great ball. Nemo reduced the gap down to a point when Mark Cronin converted a free, 0-3 to 0-2 after 23 minutes.

Nemo had a goal opportunity after 29 minutes when they pounced on a defensive error from Clonakilty, but Luke Connolly couldn’t find a way past Clon netminder Mark White. There were no more scores in the first-half with the West Cork side ahead 0-3 to 0-2 at half-time.

Nemo Rangers were now aided by the very strong wind in the second-half. There was no sign of the rain abating, if anything it was getting heavier. There were serious concerns about the pitch at the break and whether the game should have continued is a legitimate question. Unsurprisingly there were no scores in the opening stages of the new half, but Nemo did have two wides in the opening eight minutes of the second-half.

The Trabeg side levelled the encounter through a Cronin white flag from an acute angle, 0-3 each after 39 minutes. Paul O’Donovan’s side went into the lead for the first time with 15 minutes remaining when Paul Kerrigan landed a point from 40 yards out.

Clonakilty were backed by their large and vocal supporters but struggled to create chances playing into the wind. Nemo pushed two points clear after 58 minutes through a fisted Cronin effort.

Clon’s first score since the 20th minute arrived bang on the 60th minute when Darragh Gough converted a close-range free. Clon had chances late on including a mark from sub Niall Barrett but nothing came to fruition as the city side held on for a one-point victory.

Nemo Rangers progress to a last four meeting with either Douglas or Duhallow who play each other next Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn at 7.30pm. Nemo’s aim of back-to-back county titles remain on track, a feat they last achieved in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

Disappointment for Clonakilty, but they have made great progress this season under the tutelage of Martin O’Brien, and the West Cork side will be looking to build on it in 2024.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: M Cronin 0-3 (0-1 f), P Kerrigan, C Horgan 0-1 each.

Clonakilty: C Daly (f), D Gough (f), R Mannix (mark), L O’Donovan 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: M Aodh Martin; K Histon, B Murphy, K O’Donovan; J Horgan, K Fulignati, S Cronin; B Cripps, A O’Donovan (capt); C Horgan, P Kerrigan, G Sayers; M Cronin, R Dalton, L Connolly.

Subs: L Horgan for G Sayers (45), J Coogan for L Connolly (49), C Molloy for R Dalton (55), L Connolly for K Fulignati (64).

CLONAKILTY: M White (capt); L O’Donovan, D Peet, D Lowney; S White, T Clancy, J O’Mahony; M Shanley, B Ridgeway; C Kenneally, D Gough, S McEvoy; R Mannix, C Daly, J Leahy.

Subs: N Barrett for C Daly, O Bancroft for C Kenneally (both 53), F Murphy for J Leahy (57).

Referee: David Murnane (Macroom).