Argideen Rangers win the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 7 Football League title with victory over Kilmacabea

Argideen Rangers 1-12 

Kilmacabea 1-8 

Argideen Rangers claimed the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 7 Football League title at the expense of West Cork rivals Kilmacabea at a wind and rain-lashed Rossmore on Friday evening.

A dual club more synonymous with hurling success claimed a county football league title and were full value for their victory.

Difficult weather conditions couldn’t prevent Argideen from emerging four-point winners on an evening Darragh Holland, Fergal Walsh, Sean Walsh and Billy Fleming impressed.

Damien Gore scored 1-2 for a battling Kilmacabea who were unable to close the gap after falling behind in the third quarter.

Aided by a strong wind, Kilmacabea got off to a flier with Ray Shanahan splitting the posts inside 3 minutes.

Ian Jennings was fouled shortly after and goalkeeper Colin McCarthy converted the resulting two-point free.

Fergal Walsh curled over Rangers’ first score after 9 minutes amid an opening period in which both teams were wasteful in front of goal.

An attritional half saw both sides attempt to build from the back resulting in several turnovers.

Argideen grew into the game and levelled matters after Bill Fleming (free) and Matthew Lawton scored to make it 0-3 apiece after 16 minutes.

That was Kilmac’s cue to up the tempo however, resulting in Eamon Shanahan completing a patient move with a fine score before a major turning point.

Another slick Kilmacabea move saw Odhran Kerrisk and Keith Whelton combine to release former Cork senior Damien Gore who found the bottom corner of the net after 20 minutes.

Argideen’s response was instant with Sean Walsh denied a goal by a Colin McCarthy stop.

Undeterred, Rangers changed ends 1-4 to 0-5 in arrears following late Darragh Holland (free) and Finbarr Walsh efforts.

Gore extended his side’s advantage immediately after the restart but Kilmacabea would not score again for another 10 minutes.

Taking advantage, Rangers found the net courtesy of a superb Fergal Walsh 35th minute goal. Sean Walsh added a point to make it 1-6 to 1-5 in Argideen’s favour.

The scores kept coming, despite incessant rain, as Kilmac’s Joe Collins and Damien Gore efforts sandwiched fisted Gerry Crowley and James Crowley points for Argideen.

Darragh Holland (free) and Daniel O’Donovan swapped scores before another Holland effort pushed Rangers two clear.

Defences tightened up resulting in no scores during the final 8 minutes of regulation time. It was Argideen who prevailed, as injury-time Sean Walsh and Darragh Holland scores cemented a merited 1-12 to 1-8 triumph.

Scorers for Argideen Rangers: F Walsh 1-2; D Holland 0-4 (0-2 frees); S Walsh 0-2; B Fleming (0-1 free); M Lawton; G Crowley; J Crowley 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilmacabea: D Gore 1-2; C McCarthy 0-2 (2 point free); R Shanahan; E Shanahan; J Collins; D O’Donovan 0-1 each.

ARGIDEEN RANGERS: L McCarthy; D O’Donovan, J Sheehan, J Crowley; M Lawton, B Fleming (captain), F Butler; D Holland, G Crowley; C O’Donovan, F Walsh, A Guinevan; S Henchion, J M O’Callaghan, S Walsh.

Subs: J Crowley for S Henchion (43); S Maxwell for C O’Donovan (55).

KILMACABEA: C McCarthy; L Tobin, D Whooley, D Tobin; O Tobin, D O’Callaghan, O Kerrisk; M Collins, I Jennings (captain); D McCarthy, R Shanahan, K Whelton; E Shanahan, J Collins, D Gore.

Subs: R Hourihane for D McCarthy (38); D O’Donovan for R Shanahan (45).

Referee: Niall Hayes (Carbery Rangers).