Carbery Rangers dominate second half to relegate Éire Óg

Carbery Rangers 1-11 Éire Óg 2-6

Éire Óg’s tears contrasted sharply with Carbery Rangers’ elation following the conclusion of Saturday’s McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC relegation play-off in Enniskeane.

The Ovens club, Senior A champions only four years ago, will return to the grade in 2025. That’s the harsh reality facing Paudie Kissane and his players, despite their best efforts in a two-point defeat.

That final score is not a fair reflection of Rangers’ second-half dominance however, as Daniel Healy’s injury-time goal was the last kick of the game. Struggling for consistency since the beginning of the championship, Éire Óg must begin the difficult task of attempting to return to the county’s top tier.

As for Carbery Rangers, Seamus Hayes’ side’s first county championship win since August 2022 was enough to maintain their premier senior status.

Paul Hodnett’s second-half goal was crucial but the west Cork side’s ability to hold their opponents scoreless for the third quarter is what swung the result in their favour.

Daragh Hayes got behind the Éire Óg defence early on, but it was Cork senior John O’Rourke who opened the scoring after three minutes. Colm Clifford and Peadar O’Rourke swapped scores prior to the Ovens club netting a well-worked goal after 12 minutes.

Conor McGoldrick’s defence-splitting pass found Diarmuid Dineen who rounded Paul Shanahan and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Rian O’Flynn extended the leaders’ advantage but Carbery hit back through a terrific John O’Rourke effort and Paul Shanahan free. Colm O’Callaghan burst through to score before consecutive Patrick Hurley and O’Rourke (free) points levelled matters.

Joe Cooper’s excellent point sent Éire Óg in 1-4 to 0-6 ahead at the interval.

Carbery Rangers reemerged a different team and dominated the third quarter. Brian Hodnett, Paul Shanahan (45) and John O’Rourke (free) edged the westerners ahead as Carbery forced Chris Kelly into two top-class saves.

Daniel Goulding replied with two efforts, Éire Óg’s first scores of the second period, after 51 and 53 minutes.

0-10 to 1-6 in front, Carbery Rangers put the result to bed when Paul Hodnett’s close-range effort trickled over the line.

Dylan Foley was black-carded and Daniel Healy netted with the last kick but Carbery Rangers had enough done to confirm their Premier Senior status.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: J O’Rourke 0-4 (0-1 f), Paul Hodnett 1-0, P Shanahan 0-3 (0-2 f, 0-1 45’, Peadar O’Rourke 0-2, P Hurley, B Hodnett 0-1 each.

Éire Óg: D Dineen, D Healy 1-0 each, D Goulding 0-2 (0-1 f), C Clifford, R O’Flynn, C O’Callaghan, J Cooper 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: P Shanahan (c); James O’Riordan, T O’Rourke, J Kevane; Jerry O’Riordan, K Eady, C McCarthy; B Hodnett, K Scannell; J O’Rourke, J Hodnett, P Hurley; P O’Rourke, D Hayes, B Shanahan.

Subs: Paul Hodnett for D Hayes (52), Padriag Hodnett for P Hurley (55), S Lenihan for B Hodnett (60), D O’Dwyer for J O’Riordan (63).

ÉIRE ÓG: C Kelly; D Herlihy, M Corkery, C Clifford; C McGoldrick, M Griffin, D Dineen; D McCarthy (c), R O’Toole; R O’Flynn, C O’Callaghan, D Kelly; J Kelleher, J Cooper, D Goulding.

Subs: A McCarthy for M Corkery (28, inj), J Murphy for D Kelly (38), D Foley for A McCarthy (46, inj), H Murphy for R O’Toole (50), D Healy for J Kelleher (58).

Referee: Pa O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).