A dream Carrigaline debut for Brian O'Driscoll

As debuts go, it couldn’t have gone any better for Brian O’Driscoll.

The Cork senior footballer played for the first time for Carrigaline last weekend since his move from Tadhg MacCarthaigh. The deal got over the line in January with O’Driscoll now living in Carrigaline, but obviously with him involved with the Rebels, putting on the blue and yellow jersey wasn’t going to happen until Cork's inter-county season came to an end.

It was a huge bonus for Michael Meaney’s side to call on such a player for the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 football league final, and O’Driscoll played a key part in their 0-10 to 0-8 victory over Nemo Rangers, two weeks on from the disappointment of the Rebels crashing out of the 2024 championship.

Speaking after the win over Nemo on what was a miserable evening in Shanbally eight days ago, the 30-year-old reflected on his debut for his new club.

“It certainly wasn’t a bad one, in fairness to the lads they set it up nicely after a great league campaign,” O’Driscoll said.

“They beat some of the best clubs in Cork. I was following the results from a distance because of my commitments with Cork. It was great that the lads had the club qualified for the league final for me to come into and just get stuck in. It was a great final to win.

“You’re playing against Nemo who are the standard bearers in Cork football, year in, year out. It was a great opportunity to test myself and for the team to gauge where they're at. Conditions weren’t great which meant it probably wasn’t the best spectacle for the neutral or the fans, but we are just happy that we got over the line. It was a defensive game, both sides set up quite defensively mainly down to the conditions.

“It’s not the free-flowing football that we would have grown up playing but it presents different challenges. It’s still enjoyable to play. While we are happy with the win, we are aware that it’s only the league at the same time.”

O’Driscoll’s debut came exactly 12 days on from the Cork footballers season coming to a halt. With the club championship starting on the weekend of July 27, it would have been easy for him to take time off, but he was eager to get to know his new surroundings.

“Everybody takes a few days to assess where they're at and give the body some time to recover,” he says.

“I certainly did that. I didn’t train for the first week back. Carrigaline were very understanding in that regard. They gave me the few days that I needed, and I got back in after a week. I was refreshed and ready to get back on the horse again. The weeks training was very enjoyable leading into this game, and it was nice to play to get over the disappointment I had with Cork.

“It’s great to be on board with Carrigaline. They have great structures in place, and I am excited with what we can do this year. Mick [Meaney, manager] and all the lads with him and the players have been all welcoming. Sometimes it’s not easy going into a new group but they have welcomed me with open arms, and I am very appreciative of that. Mick’s a great person, a great club man. He has been involved with Carrigaline teams as long as I have been looking at results, games or whatever.” 

Carrigaline will be one of the fancied sides in the SAFC this season after suffering demotion from the top-tier championship last year. First of all, they have to navigate Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh, Kiskeam and Cill na Martra in their group stage.

“In fairness to the Cork County Board, they have a great structure in place at the moment. Every game in every championship is a really competitive game. Most teams in their respective championships feel they can win games and the championship itself. If you win your first game, you're in a good position. On the other hand, if you lose that one, you're under pressure.” O’Driscoll concluded.