Premier SFC: Seamus Hayes bemoans 'strange' ref calls in Carbery Rangers' draw with Valley Rovers

The contrast of emotions from both camps following the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC relegation play-off last Saturday evening said it all.

Carbery Rangers looked to have been coasting to a comfortable victory when seven points clear after 46 minutes, but 1-4 without reply from Valley Rovers ensured the game goes to a replay. The match finished up 1-9 apiece.

The Valley’s goal came in added time when Cork senior footballer Jacob O’Driscoll’s late green flag drew parity for his team.

It was a cracking last quarter, but Valley Rovers were no doubt the happier leaving Enniskeane.

Carbery Rangers manager Seamus Hayes certainly had mixed emotions after the game.

“It's hard to put a finger on it, disappointed that we didn’t see it out,” he says post-match.

“I thought we were the better team for most of the game. But again, I think the character of the team was on show when they had to respond because that goal from Valley Rovers could have been a sucker punch.

“Huge range of emotions on the line there. There will be no bother in picking the lads up.” 

The Rosscarbery-based team failed to score after the 43rd minute, which would be a concern. Another fade out after the hammering by Clonakilty two weeks ago. Hayes though wasn't happy with the man in the middle, Robert Whelan.

“There were some strange calls from the ref I thought. I don’t know what he saw in the corner where he gave a free out when we were in possession going through. I was just frustrated with some of the calls.

“But again, I acknowledge the difficult job they have, but we were very frustrated by some of those decisions. Even John O’Brien’s shot, everyone heard the block on that. That should have been a 45.

“But look, we had the chances. I know I shouldn’t be giving out about refs and I rarely do, but I was frustrated about a few of the decisions made, definitely. But we had the opportunities there at the end and we'd probably regret those one or two.” 

Carbery Rangers’ top-flight status that has been intact since 2005 remains for another bit. They will have to improve though for the replay.

“It’s how you deal with the pressure, that is the key, I think. It’s our responsibility and mine as manager to make sure that we probably take more of the pressure than the players. But in that regard, we went through this last year against Éire Óg.

“We had two postponements because of the weather. It was tough going. I think we learned from that. These lads, they’ll respond. We’ll train on Wednesday night or whatever, and I guarantee you they’ll be there again. They won’t shirk the challenge. We’ll go again.” Hayes concluded.

For Valley Rovers boss Denis Kiely, he couldn't praise his players enough after the game.

“Our backs were against the wall, but I’m not relieved because we should be here at this grade,” he said.

“This is where we belong. In our last three games, we didn’t do ourselves justice, we surely did today. It’s not relief at all, it’s just pride.

“Pride in the players and pride in the club. We’re a dual club and we put a lot of work into both codes and we want to be the best of both. Massive pride with the second half performance.

“We climbed that mountain and we’re going to fight again. You can throw the towel in or you can fight on and the lads fought on, which is brilliant. I liked that performance in the second half. That’s what it’s all about.

“There’s great harmony in the club. Getting two weeks back-to-back now will be great for us because it’ll mean we can get four sessions in with all the players available to us. We have never had that opportunity all year long.

“That’s the nature of the dual club. When you get two weeks, you have to make the most of it.” Kiely ended.