McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues roundup: Clonakilty clinch promotion to Division 1

CLONAKILTY have secured promotion to the top-flight of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League on what was another exciting weekend of action.  

The West Cork club knew if they defeated Knocknagree yesterday, away from home, they would be promoted out of Division 2. The Brewery Town made no mistake to make it seven wins from seven games with a 1-18 to 1-12 victory. Elevation confirmed with two games to spare for Martin O’Brien’s side. Clon had no shortage of impressive performers, Conor Daly scored 1-3 (0-1 45), Brian White kicked five points, all from frees, while Fergal Murphy landed 0-4, all from play. Those three players were outstanding.   

Knocknagree remain in mid-table with seven points from seven games.

St Michael’s march under Pat Doyle has continued after a fifth consecutive win, the latest one, an away victory at Kiskeam, 2-12 to 0-8. The Blackrock club have jumped into second spot and moved onto 12 points with seven games played. Kiskeam’s horrible league form just keeps on going as they remain without any points with just one game to play. Having played in Division 1 in 2023, the Duhallow outfit will be in Division 3 in 2025.

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh had held second spot for less than 48 hours following their 3-12 to 0-12 win over Valley Rovers in a big promotion battle at Brinny on Friday evening. It’s a result that leaves Valley’s promotion bid on the ropes. A report on that game is on the EchoLive website.

Dohenys ended a run of three consecutive losses with a 1-11 to 0-8 victory away to Fermoy. Gavin Farr was the chief scorer for the Dunmanway based side with 0-5 (0-3 f), Cathal Daly raised the green flag while Cork senior footballer Fionn Herlihy and Mark Buckley both kicked 0-2.

Declan O’Dwyer’s charges now have 10 points from eight matches and remain in the promotion conversation. Fermoy are third from bottom but are safe. 

O’Donovan Rossa moved into mid-table in Division 2 after a 2-11 to 2-10 victory over Clyda Rovers on home soil. The West Cork side have been up and down in the league which is reflected by four wins and four defeats from eight outings but they can go into the final round with the pressure off.

Clyda Rovers have no points after seven matches played for them, and despite still two games to go for the Mourneabbey side, they will be playing in the third-tier of the league pyramid next year.

Moving down to Division 3, Kanturk took a big step towards promotion after edging out Bishopstown at home on a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-5. In a big game at the top, Daniel O’Connell hit 0-4 for the winners while Grantas Bucinskas also stood out as the full-forward ended up with 1-2. Lorcán McLoughlin hit 1-1. The Duhallow club remain top with eleven points after seven games in what is a fascinating race for the all-important top two promotion places.

Bishopstown slip down to mid-table and are on eight points in what could be a defining result in their league campaign.

Mallow occupy second spot on scoring difference with two games remaining and are just one point behind Kanturk after a 1-18 to 1-16 win over Aidan O’Mahony’s Macroom at the Castle Grounds. Seán Hayes, Eoin Kelleher and Seán McDonnell were impressive for the North Cork club with Hayes ending up with 1-4 (0-1 m). Macroom are in mid-table with six points but are just one point above the drop zone.

Castletownbere are out of the top two only on scoring difference after an 0-11 to 1-7 win over Newmarket at home. Gary Murphy was on song for the Town. Newmarket are out of the bottom two only on scoring difference.

Rockchapel have continued their positive season to date following a 1-9 to 1-8 success against Kilshannig at Glantane. Jack Curtin clipped over three points, all from play, while Shane Curtin’s first half goal proved crucial. The Rock have nine points and are in fourth. Kilshannig are only out of the drop zone on scoring difference.

After six straight defeats, bottom side and already relegated Nemo Rangers picked up a point at home to Aghada. The tight and tense contest finished up 1-11 to 2-8 with Aghada just a place above Nemo’s second team on five points.

In Division 1, there were wins for Cill na Martra, Carrigaline, Nemo Rangers, Newcestown and St Finbarr’s, with reports on all of those games on the EchoLive website.

MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESULTS FROM THURSDAY TO SUNDAY 

(Divisions 4 to 7) 

Division 4: Naomh Abán 1-11 Boherbue 1-11; Aghabullogue 4-15 Ilen Rovers 1-7; St Vincent’s 2-9 Bantry Blues 0-15; Iveleary 1-13 Glanmire 1-10.

Division 5: Kilmurry 1-7 Buttevant 3-9; Millstreet 2-5 Glenville 1-12.

Division 6: Kildorrery 3-10 St Michael’s 1-9 (Thursday); Aghinagh 2-10 Gabriel Rangers 4-10; Cobh 0-10 Ballinora 0-13; Kildorrery 1-9 St Nick’s 0-3 (Sunday).

Division 7: Canovee 3-17 Cullen 3-13; St James’ 3-6 Castlemagner 0-9.