Division 1 FL: Carbery Rangers pick up first win after impressive display against Cill na Martra

Carbery Rangers: 1-17 (1-1-15) 

Cill na Martra: 1-14 (1-1-12) 

Carbery Rangers are up and running in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League after an impressive win over Cill na Martra at Rosscarbery on Monday evening.

The West Cork side came into this Round 3 encounter on the back of two defeats to start their campaign — and two below-par performances at that — against Clonakilty and Newcestown.

They most certainly ticked every box in this one, producing a performance full of courage, spirit and pure grit.

It was an outstanding team display, with important contributions from the likes of Paul Hodnett, Daragh Hayes and former Cork footballer John O’Rourke.

Carbery Rangers did the hard work in the opening 30 minutes. Playing against a gale-force wind, they reached the break level and pushed on in the second half to secure a big win.

Cill na Martra remain on three points as their positive start comes to an end. They did have to play the final 11 minutes with 14 players following a red card to Antóin Ó Cuana. They didn’t do enough to get anything from the game.

Both teams will meet again in their respective group in the McCarthy Insurance Group SAFC later this year.

Carbery Rangers started well, landing the first three points through a pair of Paul Hodnett efforts and a neat score from Hayes.

Slowly but surely, the visitors began to get to grips with the game, aided by the wind, with Gearóid Ó Goillidhe effective in midfield.

Cill na Martra’s Danny Ó Conaill kicked a two-pointer, followed by efforts from Tadhg Ó Corcora (twice) and a trademark Daniel Ó Duinnín score, leaving them 0-5 to 0-3 ahead after 14 minutes.

During that spell, Mark Hodnett had a golden opportunity to goal for Carbery Rangers but failed to convert.

Cill na Martra added two quick-fire points before the home side struck for goal on 24 minutes when John O’Rourke finished off a flowing move that began with a splendid kick-out from goalkeeper Aaron O’Brien.

Paul Hodnett pointed to draw the West Cork men level at 1-4 to 0-7 before the sides exchanged scores approaching the interval, deadlocked at the short whistle, 1-5 to 0-8.

With the wind at their backs for the second half, Carbery Rangers pushed on. A Paul Hodnett free and points from John O’Brien and Peadar O’Rourke opened up a three-point buffer, 1-8 to 0-8.

They made the most of a black card shown to Cill na Martra’s Ó Cuana in the 31st minute.

Further points from Paul Hodnett and Peadar O’Rourke extended the lead before the visitors returned to 15 players.

Cill na Martra rallied with three successive points — Daniel Ó Duinnín’s effort the pick of them — to close the gap to 1-10 to 0-11 after 48 minutes.

A minute later, Ó Cuana picked up a yellow card which, added to his earlier black, resulted in a red — a major blow for the visitors.

Carbery Rangers seized the momentum from there. Ross kicked three points on the trot to push them five clear with eight minutes remaining.

The excellent Daniel Ó Duinnín did find the net to leave just two points between the sides before the teams traded points entering added time.

A majestic two-pointer from Hayes was undoubtedly the score of the game, giving Carbery Rangers the cushion that proved vital, 1-16 to 1-12.

Cill na Martra added two of the last three points, but the home side deservedly came out on top.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: P Hodnett 0-6 (0-2 f), D Hayes 0-5 (1 2pt), J O’Rourke 1-1, P O’Rourke 0-3, J O’Brien 0-2.

Cill na Martra: D Ó Duinnín 1-3, S Ó Duinnín 0-5 (0-4 f), D Ó Conaill (1 2pt), T Ó Corcora 0-2 each, G Ó Goillidhe, S Ó Fóirréidh 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: A O’Brien; C Daly, J Kevane, T O’Rourke; J O’Rourke, J O’Riordan, B Hodnett; K Scannell, J O’Brien; P Hurley, P Hodnett, J Hodnett; M Hodnett, D Hayes, P O’Rourke.

Subs: B Kerr for P Hurley (22), P Tobin for J O’Brien (53), S Linehan for T O’Rourke (55), C McCarthy for J O’Riordan (57, inj).

CILL NA MARTRA: M Ó Deasúna; P Ó hÉalaithe, F Ó Faoláin, D Mac Lochlainn; T Ó Corcora, S Ó Fóirréidh, C Ó Cróinín; A Ó Cuana, G Ó Goillidhe; D Ó Conaill, D Ó Duinnín, A Ó hUidhir; C Ó Fóirréidh, A Ó Loingsigh, S Ó Duinnín.

Subs: J Ó Loingsigh for P Ó hÉalaithe (29, inj), E Ó Conaill for A Ó hUidhir (53), D Ó Buachalla for T Ó Corcora (62, inj).

Referee: Cormac Dineen (Douglas).