Carrigaline footballers keen to build on historic 2024 campaign 

Last year couldn’t have gone any better for the Carrigaline footballers.

After the heartbreak of losing their Cork Premier SFC status in 2023, they recovered pretty quickly by doing the double in 2024. They claimed the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 football league title before then capturing the SAFC crown.

There will be added pressure on Michael Meaney’s side this year for a combination of reasons, but I don’t think that will bother them too much. Their defence of the top-tier league trophy has begun in a shaky fashion though with two defeats from the first two games.

For Carrigaline goalkeeper Callum Dungan, building on last year is the aim even if that looks a tall order.

“2024 was a pretty good one,” he says.

“Winning the league and then the championship, it was something we set out to achieve at the start of the campaign. We knew we had the depth and the quality. Winning the league was a huge boost for us. We built on that straightaway.

“We targeted every game and put in performances. We met up early after suffering relegation from Premier Senior because we wanted to right the wrongs. Championship was the main thing obviously, but we wanted to do well in the league and thankfully it all worked out.

“We had more or less the same squad of players. Brian O’Driscoll came in alright last year and the difference he made was just unbelievable. He just does everything right. He was a huge addition and brought that calmness. Consistency throughout the year was key last year. We had 20 lads out training every day we went out.” 

It was a remarkable year in 2024 for the Carrigdhoun outfit, but one game sticks out the most. It was the penalty shootout win in the semi-final against Kanturk. Dungan had been number one, but was replaced by Ryan Delaney for the penalties.

“First of all, on a personal level, last year was a great and enjoyable experience,” Dungan said.

“I had great competition with Seán Mellett and he is much more experienced than me. Both of us pushed each other and that helped us. I was happy enough with how the year went to be honest.

“Obviously a lot of people have been talking about the semi-final and the penalties and all that. It’s well documented now that I made way for Ryan Delaney. To go back to the start, we did practise penalties on the Thursday before the game.

“I was in goal for them but when it came to it against Kanturk, everyone was looking at Ryan Delaney, who is 6 ft 8. I did go over to him and said you could go in goal if you wanted to. He obviously has plenty of experience of going in between the sticks.

“I was kind of expecting it even though it might have been a shock to many. Ryan has played in goal for Cork City and Cobh Ramblers. He probably would be a better penalty shot stopper than me. It was the right decision.” 

In the 2025 McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC later in the year, Carrigaline will meet Carbery Rangers, Clonakilty and St Finbarr’s.

“We have Carbery Rangers first, but we won’t be putting too much pressure on that one. The first game is important, but it’s not do or die. After last year, we have huge momentum though, so we will back ourselves and see how it goes.

“We are playing three very good teams. Looking forward to it. We haven't finished in the top two of the group at Premier Senior level yet, so that would be nice to achieve. But, we won’t shoot for the stars either. It’s all about taking it game by game and putting in good performances."