St Michael's face PSFC test after turbulent league campaign
St Michael's Eoin Hickey is tackled by Nemo Rangers' Kieran Histon, during their SFL clash at Trabeg. Picture: David Keane
It was a tricky enough start to the season for St Michael’s. Relegation from the Division 1 Football League was never part of the plan. Nor was a return of just one win from nine games.
That lone victory came on the opening day against Carrigaline, a four-point win in which Luke O’Herlihy accounted for 0-12 of their 0-18 total – an early sign of what was to come from the standout forward.
The problem for Michael’s was how heavily they came to depend on him. O’Herlihy contributed a massive 43.8% of their total scores across the campaign. When he was off form, or – as in the final game against Nemo Rangers – withdrawn early due to injury, they struggled to make an impact.
Support did come from Adam Hennessy and Liam O’Sullivan, their next highest scorers. Hennessy chipped in with two two-pointers, while O’Sullivan finished with three goals. But beyond that, consistent scoring options were scarce.
Michael’s season was marked by turbulence. Injuries, experimentation, and availability issues meant Michael’s used 41 different players across nine games.
That chopping and changing was most evident in defence – they fielded a different full-back line in every game. That lack of continuity hurt them. They conceded 172 points in total – the most of any team in the top flight.
Offensively, they weren’t as blunt, finishing with 137 points – ahead of Carrigaline, Newcestown, and Douglas, and level with Éire Óg. But results didn’t follow.
Despite the chaos, there were positives. The wide spread of players used gave game time and experience to a large cohort – something that could pay off come championship.
Luke Carroll and Dylan Corkery were solid at full-back when available, while both Keith and Eric Hegarty impressed in defensive roles. Keith in particular stood out – composed on the ball, sharp in distribution, and even popped up with two orange flags himself.
The championship group stage will be no easier. Douglas are first up, followed by Ballincollig and Nemo Rangers. For Michael’s to make it out of the group – or avoid the relegation playoff – they will need to find reliable scorers to ease the burden on O’Herlihy.
Pat Doyle’s side have shown fight all year. But whether they can now pair that fight with results remains to be seen.
Luke O’Herlihy 0-60 (2 tp, 10 tpf, 0-18 f), Liam O'Sullivan 3-7, Adam Hennessy 0-14 (2 tp), Keith Hegarty 0-6 (2 tp), Billy Cain 1-2, Eric Hegarty 1-2 (1-0 pen), James Ryan 0-5 (1 tpf, 0-2 f), Rory O'Shaughnessy 0-5, Dan Meaney 0-5, Kyle Leahy 1-1, Domhnall Cremin 1-0, Andrew Murphy 0-3, Rory Kavanagh 0-2, Daniel Meaney 0-1, Alan O'Callaghan 0-1, Sam Murphy 0-1, Eoghan Buckley 0-1.
Luke O'Herlihy, Adam Hennessy, Liam O'Sullivan, James Ryan Billy Cain, Rory O'Shaughnessy, Dan Meaney, Keith Hegarty, Kyle Leahy, Andrew Murphy, Rory Kavanagh, Alan O'Callaghan, Sam Murphy, Eric Hegarty, Mikey O'Connell, Robert Ahern, Joe Golden, Luke Carroll, Rory Kavanagh, Fionnan Leah, Eoin Hickey, Emmet Sheehan, Eoin De Búrca, Michael Whelan, Dylan Corkery, Tom Grainger, Mark Drummond, Domhnall Cremin, Stephen Ahern, Dave O'Sullivan, Scott O'Sullivan, Sean Keating, Max White, Alan Nolan, Luke Fogarty, Luke Tuohy, James Heylin, Eoghan Buckley, Thomas Murphy, Michael Carroll, Oscar McCarthy.
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