First direct semi-final for Nemo Rangers and Briain Murphy 

The result was rarely in doubt, not only because St Michael’s failed to show up, but because Nemo Rangers did in spades.

From the first whistle in Shanbally, they made hay while the breeze and wrung every ounce from the two-point arc.

When the ends turned, it was back to hard graft. For the first time since their 2021 group stage win over Carrigaline, Nemo rattled in more than three goals. Four, in fact.

That return was particularly pleasing for midfielder Briain Murphy, who has been around long enough to recognise a shift in pattern.

“We’ve probably been lacking in that department as the team goes, in the past year or two. So to get four today was nice, and it put us through to the semi-finals as well which is very important.” The two halves told different stories. With the gale at their back in the opening period, it was about long strikes and quick rewards; with the wind in their faces after the break, it was about grit, graft, and defensive control.

“In the first 10 minutes, we kept them scoreless in second half, which was like a testament to our defence. We’ve lads like Mark Hill this year, who’ve stepped in seamlessly our defence was excellent in the second half against the strong breeze, especially when they’ve the likes of Luke O’Herlihy who can kick them from distance, Adam Hennessy as well, so we tried to keep them under wraps as much as possible.” 

For Murphy, there was also the matter of history. At underage level, St Michael’s had often been the stumbling block.

To be fair when I was growing up and we played Michael’s, we always seemed to lose against them.

“It would be similar enough for other lads underage, so we always knew Michael’s would be a tough dogged team,” he said. “So when we had the conditions in the first half, we just tried to take advantage.” 

Even the toss of a coin carried weight. “We did win the toss… oh I actually don't know to be honest! Alan just came down and said we’re with the wind!” Briain laughed. “I presume we did. Yeah, I suppose you never know if it's going to be there in the second half, so when you have it you might as well take it.” And then there was the novelty of reward. For the first time under the new structure, Nemo advance directly to the semi-finals.

“I suppose it's our first time being straight through to the semis so we’ll just have to see how we cope with it. But it’s nice to have a week extra than the rest, get bodies back. It just gets tougher from here on in.” 

For St Michael’s manager Pat Doyle, the contrast was stark. Where Nemo could speak of semi-finals and momentum, his words were of survival and inconsistency.

“Disappointed, to be honest,” Doyle said. “It was tough playing into that wind in the first half. We managed it okay at times, got a couple of good two pointers.

LEFT BEHIND

“I mean, we probably left it behind us in the Douglas game, we just didn't perform at all that day, that was the most disappointing one. Against Ballincollig, we should have won the game. It's been the story of our year, to be honest, a lot of games, a lot of league games, leaving points after us there as well.

“So look, we’ve stayed up. We've kind of a youngish group as well. The fact we've stayed up, we’ll drive it on in Division 2 next year, learn from it and try and get better, it’s as simple as that.” Injuries had hollowed out their campaign, leaving too many gaps that couldn’t be patched.

“It's been a tough year. We've had a lot of key injuries, like today we were missing Dan Meaney, who would be one of our best players, obviously, good hurler as well, Michael O'Connell. A number of fellas, and even all year we just had, we’ve probably never had the right 15 on the field at any stage, right. And you need that, you need that.” 

When the right 15 are on the field, Doyle is convinced the quality is there. But without it, inconsistency gnawed away at their season.

“We don't have massive depth. So playing the likes of Nemo and the top teams, you absolutely need that,” Doyle explained. “But at the same time, when we are there and we have the right fellas on the field and they’re playing well, we just need to get that consistency. We're probably a bit inconsistent. Against Ballincollig, we brought it. Today, in patches, but not enough, and if you’re not consistent at this level, you’re just going to get exposed.”