Alan O'Hare goal separates Douglas and Carbery Rangers
Douglas' Alan O'Hare hit the winning goal against Carbery Rangers. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
DOUGLAS secured their first points in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League with a hard-fought win over Carbery Rangers at Douglas on Saturday.
In a game that Douglas looked dominant for long periods a late Carbery rally just fell short as the city side held firm.
The rain-sodden conditions underfoot made it difficult for both sides to play free-flowing football but a good run and finish by Brian Hartnett in the opening minute gave the home side the perfect start.
The West Cork side looked dangerous when attacking but surprisingly the first of their three points from play came as early as the fourth minute. Three minutes later Douglas showed their class once again when getting clear looks this time Darragh Kelly split the posts following a good assist from Alan O’Hare.
There was a scoring drought of 10 minutes but it ended with a cracking Douglas goal. Some good pressure was rewarded when Kelly found O’Hare running off his shoulder and the Douglas half-forward slotted a low shot to the corner of the net.
A minute later, Colm Joyce raised a white flag for Douglas that increased their lead to five points. Ross were relying on Douglas committing silly fouls that helped reduce the deficit to three points at the break: 1-4 to 0-4.
The experienced Brian Hartnett opened the scoring for Douglas in the opening minute and when O’Hare made a terrific run to split the posts in the 35th minute they regained their five-point lead.
Douglas have made a good signing in former 6’ 6" Ballincollig basketball ace Padraig Lucey, who played minor football for Kerry. He looks a good find although he was unlucky to be shown a straight red card with a couple of minutes remaining.
In fairness, Rangers refused to lie down and three unanswered points the last coming from the boot of Michael Maguire in the 59th minute gave them a chance of securing a win entering added time.
Credit to Douglas they remained disciplined and in the end their better movement and accuracy in front of goal proved crucial in this win.
A O’Hare 1-1, B Hartnett, D Kelly 0-2 each, C Joyce, H Quilligan 0-1 each.
D Hayes 0-5 f, C O’Donovan, B Hodnett, M Maguire 0-1 each.
C O’Leary; N Walsh, C Kenny, D Murphy; J Burke, C Kingston, D Ward; E Walsh, B Hartnett; N Hartnett, D Kelly, D Kelly, A Cantwell; A O’Hare, P Lucey, C Joyce.
H Quilligan for N Hartnett (h-t), J Harte for A Cantwell (33), L Fogarty for J Burke (40), C O’Keeffe for D Kelly (42), D Harte for D Ward (54).
P Shanahan; C Hayes, C Eaddy, P Óg Hill; J Hodnett, P Hodnett, N Keane; M Maguire, K Scannell; B Hodnett, P Hurley, C Twomey; P O’Rourke, D Hayes, C O Donovan.
Cathal Nolan (Bishopstown).
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