Carbery Rangers impress in second half of league win over Ballincollig
Ballincollig's Donncha Desmod is tackled by Carbery Rangers Brian Hodnett during the McCarthy Insurance SFL at Rosscarbery. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
CARBERY Rangers overcame Ballincollig to get off the mark in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League at Ardagh on Easter Saturday.
An evenly fought encounter was delicately poised at the midway mark. Playing competently, Ballincollig led 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval until their opponents remereged and kicked five unanswered points.
Four ahead at the beginning of the final quarter, Rangers comfortably maintained their advantage to register a much-needed victory.
The hosts were searching for their maiden Division 1 win following narrow loss to Douglas and draw with Éire Óg. As for the visitors, Podsie O’Mahony’s side were chasing a second consecutive league victory following a morale-boosting victory over Castlehaven.
Both sides were short a host of regular starters but that didn’t detract from what turned into an engaging match.
Rangers enjoyed the better start and kicked two quick-fire points via Patrick Hurley and Peadar O’Rourke.
Both sides were wasteful in front of goal before Balllincollig hit back with Dara Dorgan (free) and Darragh O’Mahony levelling matters. Next, Brian Shanahan finished off a flowing move for the hosts’ third score on the quarter hour.
The remainder of the opening half saw Ballincollig utilise a short kick-out and build steadily from the back. Carbery were equally effective whenever they gained primary possession as Dorgan and Darragh Hayes exchanged frees.
Donnacha Desmond levelled the score for a third time, 0-4 apiece, after 20 minutes but Rangers hit back courtesy of a well-worked Brian Shanahan effort.
Dara Dorgan’s third free and a Ciarán Buckley shot that bounced off the crossbar saw the Village change ends 0-6 to 0-5 ahead.
This game was decided in the third quarter when a reenergised Carbery Rangers outscored their opponents 0-6 to 0-1 before the 47th minute.
Pressing high and winning a succession of their opponents’ kick-outs, Darragh Hayes (two, one free), Brian Shanahan, Peadar O’Rourke and a brace of converted Paul Shanahan frees saw the home team surge clear.
Sean Dore replied for a Ballincollig team unable to reproduce their first-half efforts.
Paul Shanahan (free) and Donnacha Desmond scored at either end during a scrappy closing period, but it was the West Cork club that emerged deserving 0-11 to 0-8 winners.
The league games keep coming with Carbery Rangers and Ballincollig each facing arduous tests on Sunday, April 14.
Rangers host Castlehaven in a West Cork derby and precursor to their Premier SFC Group B clash scheduled for later in the year.
On the same day, Ballincollig enjoy home advantage for the visit of Nemo Rangers. That’s another preview of an upcoming Premier SFC Group A clash.
D Hayes (0-2 f), B Shanahan 0-3 each, P Shanahan (f), P O’Rourke 0-2 each, P Hurley 0-1.
D Dorgan 0-3 f, D Desmond 0-2, D O’Mahony, C Buckley, S Dore 0-1 each.
P Shanahan; C Daly, K Eady, D O’Dwyer; J Hodnett, P Hodnett, B Hodnett; J Fitzpatrick, K Scannell; P Hurley, B Shanahan, C Twomey; P O’Rourke, D Hayes, C O’Donovan.
J Kevane for J Fitzpatrick (h-t inj), E Brown for C O’Donovan (44), S Lenihan for D O’Dwyer (46), P Hodnett for B Shanahan (53), K Hayes for C Twomey (58).
C Walsh; D Ebili, JP Murphy, D Kerstein; J Murray, L Jennings, S O’Neill; S Dore, D Desmond; M Oldham, C Buckley, P O’Neill; B Keating, D Dorgan, D O’Mahony.
B Dore for J Murray (h-t), P Kelly for S O’Neill (41, inj), S O’Neill for D Kerstein (50), C Dalton for C Buckley (54).
Jack Forbes (Dunmanway).
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