Carbery Rangers boss Seamus Hayes: 'Clonakilty are a strong side, but we are ready for the challenge'

Carbery Rangers manager Seamus Hayes has challenged his team to be more clinical in tomorrow’s crunch West Cork derby against Clonakilty.

Ballinacarriga is the venue for the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC Group 2 Round 3 clash with throw-in at 4pm.

Both of the neighbours have lost their first two games meaning this is pretty much a relegation semi-final.

“It’s a position that neither of us would have wanted,” Hayes says to The Echo.

“Both of us are out of the championship, that’s a big disappointment for both camps I would imagine especially given Clonakilty’s form in the Division 1 league this year and losing to St Finbarr’s in the league final.

“A lot of people were tipping Clon as dark horses for the championship. Then again, for ourselves as well, it’s a big blow for our aspirations for the year. It’s all about a performance now and getting the two points to keep the victors out of a relegation match.” 

Carbery Rangers do come into the game on the back of a strong performance against St Finbarr’s three weeks ago, but ultimately lost by two points. On the other hand, Clonakilty had a malfunction in the second 30 minutes to lose 3-13 to 1-13 against Carrigaline.

“We were reasonably happy with the performance against the Barrs, disappointed with our finishing,” the Carbery Rangers boss said.

“We have addressed the shortcomings over the last few weeks. We have worked really hard, the response from the players has been brilliant. They have really manned up, been at every training session preparing for Clon. That's a huge credit to them. It has been very impressive.

“We know that we need to be clinical, it hasn't been good enough in our previous two group games so far. If we can improve on that, it will bring us a long way towards hopefully getting a victory against Clon.” 

Tomorrow’s battle will be a third successive season where both teams will lock horns in the group stage. The last two meetings have ended in a draw, but Carbery Rangers have a good championship record against their rivals having not lost to them since 2006.

“There’s nothing to hide, we know Clonakilty upside down and likewise from their point of view. It’s a winner-takes-all scenario, which is great. Both teams will be well up for it. There’s a lot of rivalry there and that’s going to add to the occasion on Sunday.

“Whichever team handles the occasion the best and produces a performance will deserve to win on the day. There’s no secrets from both teams, we know exactly who we are facing and really looking forward to it.” 

For many, the pressure is on Clonakilty tomorrow given many predicted them to be in the business end of the championship. For the Rosscarbery-based outfit, they had to beat Éire Óg last year to avoid dropping down. Hayes feels that experience will stand to them.

“We are facing a strong Clonakilty side, it must be said. We know what we went through last year. It was a real pressure cooker of a game against Éire Óg.

“I said at the time, it was a real learning curve for the group. We have an awful lot of young players. I do feel it steeled them and the experience benefited them. I do think the lads have more faith in themselves this year.

“We are developing, but we aren’t interested in moral victories. We played well against Carrigaline and St Finbarr’s and got no points.

“I would expect Sunday’s game to go to the wire. Our boys are ready for the challenge ahead. We will be giving it our absolute all.”