McCarthy Insurance Group Football League wrap: An exciting final weekend as promotion and relegation places were resolved
Paddy O'Driscoll of Gabriel Rangers in action last year. His team have earned promotion from Division 5. Picture: Larry Cummins
- Division 1 FL: Nemo Rangers narrowly hold off St Michael's to keep final hopes alive
- Division 1 FL: Éire Óg avoid relegation after entertaining draw with Cill na Martra
- Iveleary seal promotion with strong second half in Rockchapel
- Division 3 FL: Gary Deane delivers as Clyda Rovers stun Mallow with last-gasp goal
- Division 4 FL: Aghabullogue seal promotion with big victory over St Vincent's
- McCarthy Insurance Group FL: Bandon progress to Division 4 final with win over Glanmire
The promotion and relegation picture has been pretty much finalised on what was officially the last weekend of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League for this year.
It was an exciting few days as teams battled for the points for various different reasons.
In Division 1, St Finbarr’s booked their league final place last Thursday after Newcestown gave them a walkover meaning it will be either Nemo Rangers or Clonakilty that will take the other spot.
Clonakilty require a positive result in their last game which doesn't take place until this Sunday against Castlehaven.
At the other end, Carrigaline have joined St Michael’s in suffering demotion. Last year’s Division 1 league winners had looked like staying up after Douglas conceded to them, but Éire Óg eked out a draw at home to Cill na Martra to survive.
Division 2 had already been sorted prior to Round 9 fixtures with Carbery Rangers and Knocknagree heading up to the top-tier for 2026. Fermoy and Kanturk finish up in the drop zone.
In Division 3, Clyda Rovers had already secured elevation. The Mourneabbey men end up at the summit with Iveleary finishing second. Iveleary knew a positive result was required and they delivered with a 0-15 to 0-13 away victory against Rockchapel.
Aghada and Kiskeam head to Division 4 for 2026. Kiskeam have suffered a third successive league demotion.
The top two teams prior to the last round of fixtures have stayed where they were with Aghabullogue and Bandon earning promotion in Division 4. At the other end, the relegation places are filled by St Vincent’s and Bantry Blues.
In Division 5, Gabriel Rangers held their nerve to earn promotion with Kilmurry. The West Cork side needed a positive result and did so by beating an understrength Kilmurry team, 1-17 to 1-6. At the wrong end of the table, Glenville and Glanworth didn’t pick up enough points to stay afloat.
Three teams ended up on 14 points in Division 6, with St Nick’s and Canovee doing just enough to ensure elevation. Cobh the unlucky team to miss out on scoring difference. St Michael's second team and Mayfield finishing up in the bottom two positions.
Finally, Division 7 was already wrapped up prior to the weekend just gone. Argideen Rangers and Kilmacabea moving up with Ballyhooly and Urhan going the other way.
The league finals are down for two weeks' time, with dates and times to be confirmed in due course.
Division 1: Nemo Rangers 0-16 St Michael’s 2-7; St Finbarr’s – Newcestown, conceded by Newcestown; Éire Óg 0-14 Cill na Martra 1-11; Carrigaline - Douglas, conceded by Douglas.
Division 2: Valley Rovers 0-9 Dohenys 1-5; Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh 3-11 Castletownbere 0-9; Kanturk 1-12 Ballincollig 1-5; O’Donovan Rossa 1-11 Fermoy 1-10; Carbery Rangers 0-16 Knocknagree 1-12.
Division 3: Rockchapel 0-13 Iveleary 0-15; Kilshannig – Newmarket, conceded by Kilshannig; Clyda Rovers 1-10 Mallow 1-8; Bishopstown 2-14 Aghada 3-13; Naomh Abán 1-17 Kiskeam 1-14.
Division 4: Bantry Blues 2-8 Macroom 2-13; Aghabullogue 3-16 St Vincent’s 0-13; Nemo Rangers 0-14 Adrigole 1-16; Bandon 3-10 Glanmire 0-8; Buttevant 0-7 Boherbue 1-14.
Division 5: Ballydesmond 1-15 Glenville 1-12; Mitchelstown 1-14 Ilen Rovers 1-14; Glanworth 0-13 Ballinora 1-14; Gabriel Rangers 1-17 Kilmurry 1-6; Kinsale 0-9 Millstreet 3-13.
Division 6: Mayfield 0-5 Cobh 3-12; Canovee 3-14 Cullen 1-15; St Nick’s 7-7 Aghinagh 1-13; St Michael’s 1-17 Kildorrery 1-11; Dromtarriffe 2-10 Na Piarsaigh 2-10.
Division 7: Kilmacabea 3-16 Nemo Rangers 2-8; Ballygarvan 3-9 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 0-13; Ballyhooly 1-16 Inniscarra 5-15; Argideen Rangers – St James’, conceded by Argideen Rangers; Urhan 1-6 Castlemagner 2-9.
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