Michael Shields stars as St Finbarr's edge out Nemo Rangers in entertaining league clash 

Nemo Rangers: 1-8 

St Finbarr’s: 1-10 

IN the clash of the titans, it was St Finbarr’s who grabbed the bragging rights and the two league points on offer after defeating rivals Nemo Rangers in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 football league encounter at Trabeg on Sunday morning.

Both of these southside giants came into this third league fixture with three points from the opening two games, and in the end it was the men from Togher that continued the strong start.

It was a game where both sides had their period of dominance, but in the end St Finbarr’s were deserving winners. They packed more punch up front led by the experienced Michael Shields who rolled back the years with an impressive display at full-forward as the 2010 All-Ireland winner scored 1-2 (0-1 m), but it was his overall display that was eye-catching, as he played a part in other scores.

On Nemo’s side, another All-Ireland winner from nearly 14 years ago Paul Kerrigan, was very lively for Robbie O’Dwyer’s team as the forward notched up 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), but again his work rate and character was a big plus. 

The Barrs started this one full of purpose as they kicked the first two points through John Wigginton-Barrett and a Cillian Myers-Murray free. Nemo’s first score was a significant one after 14 minutes. Barry Cripps set up Oisín Whyte in the home side's first meaningful attack and the defender was brought down by St Finbarr’s goalkeeper Darragh Newman and the latter was shown a black card. 

Kerrigan stepped up for the penalty and made no mistake to plant the ball into the corner of the net, 1-0 to 0-2. The sides traded points before St Finbarr’s raised their own green flag six minutes to the break, Shields hammering the ball into the roof of the net from close range, a wonderful finish.  

Denis O’Brien bisected the posts to push St Finbarr’s 1-4 to 1-1 ahead, but there were just two points in at the short whistle when Luke Horgan pointed, 1-4 to 1-2.

On the resumption, Nemo Rangers cut the gap to a point courtesy of a fantastic long range Kerrigan free, which was just a minute into the new half. The Barrs were slightly the better team at this juncture, as Brian Roche’s team kicked two of the next three points to lead 1-6 to 1-4 after 41 minutes.

It was all level with a quarter of the game remaining when Horgan and Eoin Nation slotted over points. The Barrs, who were showing more scoring prowess, tacked on three unanswered points as they led 1-9 to 1-6 with 10 minutes remaining. The rivals traded white flags before a Ronan Dalton free cut the margin down to two points after 55 minutes.

Nemo Rangers threw the kitchen sink at their opposition in the closing stages in search of a goal. The Barrs were reduced to 14 players two minutes into added on time when Alan O’Connor picked up a black card for an off the ball incident. It didn’t matter in the end, as the Togher rearguard stood up well to pick up the win.

Plenty of positives for both sides from this one considering the high number of players both are missing.

Nemo Rangers travel to Ballincollig for their next league fixture on Sunday, April 14 at 11.30am. Three days beforehand, St Finbarr’s are away to Newcestown at 7pm.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: P Kerrigan 1-1 (1-0 pen, 0-1 f), R Dalton 0-3 (0-2 f), L Horgan 0-2, E Nation, K Fullignati 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: M Shields 1-2 (0-1 m), C Myers-Murray 0-3 f, D O’Brien 0-2, C Lyons, E Dennehy, J Wigginton-Barrett 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: D O’Leary; M Hill, C Shalloe, E Nation; O Whyte, K Fulignati, L Horgan; B Cripps, A O’Donovan; C Dalton, R Dalton, B O’Neill; G Sayers, P Kerrigan, J Coogan.

Subs: C Cusack for B O’Neill (h-t).

ST FINBARR’S: D Newman; S Ryan, F Crowley, D Byrne; C Lyons, A O’Connor, B Hennessy; J Burns, A Lyne; D O’Brien, E Dennehy, B O’Connell; J Wigginton-Barrett, M Shields, C Myers-Murray.

Subs: C Collins for C Myers-Murray (14, temporary), J Fitzsimons for D O’Brien (57).

Referee: Shane Scanlon (Newcestown).