Eoin Fehily on taking over at Éire Óg and solid start against Castlehaven

As we enter early March, new Éire Óg football manager Eoin Fehily is fully aware that dreams of securing 2026 Cork SAFC championship glory at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh are a long way off.

However, the opening game of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League against Castlehaven was a solid start to his tenure, with the points shared at Ovens after it finished 1-8 to0-11. 

After what was a strong opening half from the hosts, who led 0-7 to 0-2 at half time, Éire Óg had to hold off a Castlehaven fightback. Chris Kelly made a key penalty save to deny former Cork footballer and Castlehaven talisman Mark Collins.

Éire Óg boss Fehily told The Echo this opening day league clash was a very useful workout for his side.

“We were a small bit disappointed not to win it, but an understanding of how we didn’t lose it either. The draw was, I suppose, a fair result. It was definitely a game of two halves with the wind.

“I thought the lads did brilliantly in the second half defending the 40 metre arc. We only gave away one two-pointer in the second half, which is a great credit to the lads.

“Chris made an outstanding save for the penalty. With a couple of small light turnovers in the opposition half, I think we could have went away with the win.” 

Fehily was delighted with his side's attitude in testing conditions.

The application and the work-rate, I thought the work-rate in the tough conditions was absolutely incredible.

“We have had the constraints of the weather like the rest of the country for the entire year so far. So we have only had a couple of sessions out on the pitch.

“I thought the work-rate and the application, especially out of possession, was excellent.” 

GIVING 100%

The Éire Óg footballers are expected to be one of the leading contenders for the Cork SAFC in 2026.

It is still early stages of the Eoin Fehily era as Éire Óg manager, who has a highly-regarded coach in Newcestown man Carthach Keane involved in the set-up. 

Reflecting on how he has found life so far as the Éire Óg manager, Fehily added: “One of the most important things was we had all these plans laid out in December, then coming into January with the weather, we had to be very adaptable and agile to change our plans.

“But I thought the application of the lads has always been at 100%. 

"That really transferred from training out onto the pitch.”