Carbery Rangers gather to celebrate three historic county titles

There was a special event at the end of last year for Carbery Rangers as they looked back on historic achievements.

A large crowd met at the reunion last month reflecting on their three county successes. It was a positive ending to 2025 for Carbery Rangers after what was a challenging year.

They suffered demotion from the top-tier of the Cork football championship having being there since winning the IFC in 2005.

That triumph 21 years ago was Carbery Rangers’ second county crown in three seasons after winning the JAFC in 2003.

That was the Rosscarbery-based outfit’s first adult county trophy after beating Cill na Martra at Páirc Uí Rinn.

From there, the team captured the Munster title defeating Annascaul from Kerry in the decider. Carbery Rangers eventually lost out to Wolfe Tones of Meath in the All-Ireland final.

In 2004, the West Cork outfit contested the IFC final only to lose narrowly to Nemo Rangers’ second team. The club was nominated to represent Cork, which led to a second All-Ireland decider appearance.

Carbery Rangers would go one better to land their first All-Ireland title proving too strong for Pomeroy Plunketts of Tyrone.

2005 was a major year for the club as they atoned for the loss to Nemo Rangers’ reserves to join the senior ranks for the first time after beating Glanmire in the IFC final.

Since the move to the top-tier, the club had consistently been involved in the latter stages of the county championship. 

Sunday 16 of October 2016 will never be forgotten for the people of Carbery Rangers. After losing the 2014 final to Ballincollig, Ross would make up for it two years later to defeat the Collig in the decider.

The Andy Scannell trophy spent the winter in Rosscarbery for the first time.

Given last year marked 20 years since Carbery Rangers won the IFC and this year will be 10 years since the club’s SFC success, Carbery Rangers felt it was time to bring together the players, mentors, officers and backroom team from the 2003, 2005 and 2016 victories and acknowledge and remember those memorable days.

A tour of West Cork was organised and a great day was had by all over the Christmas period. Those teams were always a very tight-knit group and continue to be the backbone of Carbery Rangers.