When Nemo Rangers' three-in-a-row quest needed a lifeline against Clonakilty

While there have been just three winners of the Andy Scannell Cup since 2016 – Castlehaven, Nemo Rangers and St Finbarr’s – the period has included just one instance of back-to-back victories.

That Nemo’s wins of 2019 and 2020 stand out is illustrative of the close battle between the top three. It’s certainly a far cry from the 2000s, when the city club enjoyed a near-monopoly on supremacy.

Having opened the new millennium with three titles on the bounce – their first three-in-a-row – it might have seemed like Nemo’s dominance had come to an end as the Castlehaven triumphed in 2003 and the Carbery divisional side claimed victory in 2004. Instead, what followed was a reign which had never been seen before in Cork football.

Apart from Nemo themselves, three consecutive titles was something that had previously been done by Lees, Beara and Clonakilty but never had a side managed to do four on the trot.

Nemo did that from 2005-08 – though the run could very easily have stopped after two. On Sunday, Nemo will face Clon in a quarter-final in Bandon (2.15pm), with the West Cork side managed by Martin O’Brien – 17 years ago, he was part of a Clon side that came agonisingly close to ending Nemo’s hopes in high summer.

Nemo had enjoyed a big first-round win over Ilen Rovers – few would have expected that Ilen would go on to reach the final through the back door – while Clon lost their opener to Ballincollig but bounced back with an impressive win over the Barrs, who would end up being relegated that year.

In Newcestown on Friday night, July 6, Clon’s cause looked to have shipped an early blow when Tony Anglin received a red card in the opening minutes. However, while Nemo did move into a 0-5 to 0-3 lead after that, Clon had drawn level at 0-6 each by half-time.

While James Masters – curbed by Diarmuid O’Brien for long spells – did curl over a pair of beautiful points to put Nemo 0-8 to 0-7 in front, 14-man Clon refused to wilt. Though place-kicking had been a flaw for them during the game, Colin O’Donovan took over the free-taking duties and he levelled before converting another in the 62nd minute.

Clon could sense a famous victory but injury time ran on and on. While Nemo wasted chances to level, they were awarded a penalty in the 69th minute. Masters opted to kick over the bar as it finished 0-9 each – while Clon would have another chance, they were far from happy with referee Niall Barrett.

With Cork progressing in the All-Ireland SFC, the replay was delayed and would not take place until Saturday, August 25, just six days after Billy Morgan’s side had beaten Meath at the semi-final stage.

Nemo were aggrieved at the scheduling, given how they had such limited access to their county players, but they still did enough to get the job done at the second time of asking.

Seán O’Brien, David Niblock and Paul Kerrigan (four) all had points as Ephie Fitzgerald’s side established a half-time lead of 0-8 to 0-3, Maurice McCarthy and Peter Morgan on top in the aerial stakes.

However, on the restart, Seán Nagle made inroads in that area for Clon and points from Colm Callanan and Conor McManus brought them back to within a point. Unfortunately for them, it would be as close as they would come – as in the first game, Nemo were to be awarded a penalty, albeit less contentiously.

David Kearney was the player fouled and he was also the man to convert from the 13m line. Kerrigan pointed soon after and a 1-9 to 0-7 lead in the final quarter looked commanding. They would not score again though and Clon looked to respond once more. Conrad Murphy sent over two frees before Donal Murphy had a goal chance, brilliantly saved by Brían Morgan.

That led to a 45, which Colin O’Donovan sent over, and he added another to leave just one in it but they didn’t get a chance to find a leveller as Nemo won, 1-9 to 0-11.

Three more wins, against Na Piarsaigh, St Nick’s and Ilen again, ensured they stayed top of the tree for the third year in a row and the sixth time in eight seasons.