Robbie O’Dwyer full of praise for young Nemo star Bryan Hayes

Nemo Rangers manager Robbie O’Dwyer was full of praise for Bryan Hayes after he kicked nine points during their 0-18 to 1-6 victory over Douglas in Division 1 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues on Sunday morning.

The 20-year-old raised two orange flags in the second half as the home side got the job done in mucky and wet conditions at Trabeg.

Nemo Rangers did not have it their own way as Douglas only trailed by three at the break, and it was scores from players like Hayes that kept things ticking over as the rain really started to come down.

Bryan was outstanding – brilliant, very good, he is going very well. He's inside with Cork as well at the moment. So that helps obviously. 

"But in fairness to the backs, they played well. A lot of their scores that they got were from our mistakes, do you know what I mean? Just bad passing. There's just bad errors really. But look, overall, I am happy with the performance."

O’Dwyer is pleased with how things went for his side after a protracted winter made complicated by the weather.

Nemo still looked sharp and hungry, in what was their first game back since the defeat to St Finbarr’s in the Cork Premier Senior Football Championship final. This showed with a performance that saw seven different players score, including Ross Corkery, as he continues to make the step up from the U20 ranks.

“We haven't much done really with pitches and all that so we've been running on the pitches the last week and a half or so,” he said.

“But look, overall, there was going to be basic mistakes and errors and things like that on the first day and the ground was a bit soft as well but overall I am happy with the performance.” 

PATIENCE

Games are about to come thick and fast for Nemo Rangers. They are on the road next time out, with a trip to Cill na Martra and that will be followed by a home game with St Finbarr’s and a trip to Knocknagree.

“Yeah, definitely, and look this was our first game,” said O'Dwyer.

“We’ve no challenge games or anything. We kind of had a mixed game with ourselves last week. So obviously, the ball, that'll come with time and training and getting back into pitches and playing matches as we go forward. So that will all help.”