Division 1 FL: Goals crucial as Nemo defeat Newcestown in opener

Newcestown: 0-8 (0-1-6) 

Nemo Rangers: 2-6 (2-0-6) 

A more experienced Nemo Rangers side did enough to get past Newcestown in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 FL opener at Newcestown on Sunday morning.

Last year’s beaten league finalists put in a big performance in this one to get their new campaign off to a winning start.

Nemo were boosted by the availability of Cork seniors Micheál Aodh Martin and Bríain Murphy and the pair helped their team over the line.

Ultimately, the key score was Conor Horgan’s green flag nine minutes into the second half. It gave Nemo breathing space and a healthy lead that their opposition were unable to come back from.

There was a lengthy delay in the game when Newcestown’s Cian Twomey suffered a serious knee injury midway through the second half.

The new rules didn’t have a huge impact here as both teams took time to adjust. It was a hard watch in truth.

It was a first half that most certainly won’t live long in the memory bank. The first score arrived after six minutes when Horgan landed a free for Nemo Rangers after there was an infringement with the rules.

Newcestown goalkeeper Christopher White received a back pass in his own half.

It was all Nemo early on and Ronan Dalton could have goaled but White made a point blank save after 10 minutes.

Newcestown put together two unanswered points from Eddie Kenneally (free) and Richard O’Sullivan as they led for the first time after 17 minutes.

A super Alan O’Donovan effort tied up matters in what was a very poor half of football notwithstanding it was the first competitive game of the new season, 0-2 each at half-time.

Two-pointers were always going to be crucial in such a low scoring game and the first and only one arrived two minutes into the new half when Colm Dinneen slotted over outside the arc.

The second half was a big improvement on the opening 30 minutes and quick points from O’Donovan (free) and Horgan drew Nemo level at 0-4 apiece after 35 minutes.

Dinneen was having an influence from his wing-back position as he pointed to nudge the home team ahead again.

The city outfit struck for a decisive score after 39 minutes when Horgan finished with aplomb to the back of the Newcestown net, 1-4 to 0-5.

There was then a lengthy delay due to a serious knee injury to Newcestown’s full-back Cian Twomey.

Eddie Kenneally did land a free for Newcestown but Nemo showed their class with a quick counterattack resulting in Colm Kiely scoring a goal after a Paul Kerrigan pass, 2-4 to 0-6 with nine minutes remaining.

The teams traded points with Newcestown’s Eoghan Collins receiving a black card in between those scores.

Niall Kelly did slot over a free to leave three points in with three minutes to go, but they were down to 13 players for the remainder after a Paul Kelly black card.

Robbie O’Dwyer’s side saw out the game in typical Nemo fashion. Jack Coogan pointed right at the end for good measure.

Scorers for Newcestown: C Dinneen 0-3 (1 2pt), E Kenneally 0-2 f, N Kelly (f), R O’Sullivan, T Twomey 0-1 each.

Nemo Rangers: C Horgan 1-2 (0-1 f), C Kiely 1-0, A O’Donovan 0-2 (0-1 f), R Dalton (f), J Coogan 0-1 each.

NEWCESTOWN: C White; J Kelleher, C Twomey, P Kelly; C Dinneen, M McSweeney, D McAree; S O’Donovan, E Collins; O Walsh, N Kelly, J Kenneally; J Meade, R O’Sullivan, E Kenneally.

Subs: S O’Sullivan for J Kenneally, T Twomey for J Meade (both 38), N Murray for C Twomey (45, inj), F Keane for O Walsh, J Burrows for D McAree (both 54).

NEMO RANGERS: M Aodh Martin; E Nation, C Shalloe, M Hill; B Cripps, K Fulignati, A Cronin; A O’Donovan, B Murphy; O Whyte, R Dalton, C Dalton; J Coogan, C Horgan, C Kiely.

Subs: P Kerrigan for K Fulignati (43, inj).

Referee: A O’Connor (Ballygarvan).