Carbery Rangers’ pace proves too much in impressive win over Nemo

Carbery Rangers: 3-13 (3-1-11) 

Nemo Rangers: 1-13 (1-2-9) 

Carbery Rangers are upwardly mobile in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League after another impressive win, this time defeating Nemo Rangers by six points on Friday evening in Rosscarbery.

The West Cork side have now recorded a fourth successive victory, having lost their opening two games.

Robbie Ahern’s charges started slowly but, once they clicked, they were the better team. There was a clear understanding throughout their play, well coached by former Cork footballer Donagh Wiseman, and they carried plenty of pace — particularly in the forward line — which is a major asset under the new rules.

Special mention must go to two Ross subs, Cork U20 footballer Dylan O’Neill and Mark Hodnett, both of whom made significant contributions.

Nemo Rangers now sit on four points from six games following this defeat. While they were missing players, Robbie O’Dwyer and his selectors will be disappointed with the overall showing. 

They played with 14 men from the 37th minute onwards following a red card for Alan O'Donovan, which was always going to be difficult, but it was what happened before that which ultimately proved costly.

After some poor shooting on both sides, the first score didn’t arrive until nine minutes in when Peadar O’Rourke pointed for Carbery Rangers. It sparked the game into life, with Shane Burke quickly replying for Nemo.

The teams traded points before Nemo defender Tim O’Brien made a bursting run upfield to set up Dara O’Sullivan, who finished to the net after 15 minutes. 

Carbery Rangers responded swiftly, hitting two of the next three points to trail by 1-3 to 0-4. Paul Hodnett’s superb effort was the standout score of the game.

They then struck for a goal after 19 minutes when they pounced on a mistake in the Nemo defence, leaving Daragh Hayes with a simple finish to the net, making it 1-4 to 1-3.

The West Cork side dominated the second quarter. They kicked two unanswered points through a Paul Hodnett free and a Peadar O’Rourke effort. While a Conor Horgan free kept Nemo in touch, they were playing second fiddle.

Carbery Rangers hit 1-1 in two minutes — Hayes raising the white flag before Peadar O’Rourke finished emphatically to the net after being set up by his brother, former Cork footballer John O’Rourke.

Carbery Rangers richly deserved their 2-7 to 1-4 lead as the game ticked into added time. Ross Corkery did bisect the posts, but Nemo still trailed by five at the break.

The city side emerged with renewed vigour. Corkery slotted over a fantastic orange flag, quickly followed by another effort from O’Sullivan. Hayes settled Carbery Rangers with a fisted point as they led 2-8 to 1-8 after 34 minutes.

Three minutes later, influential Nemo midfielder O’Donovan received a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident. Corkery converted a free before an outstanding Carbery Rangers move ended with O’Neill palming the ball to the net — and he had only been on the pitch three minutes. That made it 3-8 to 1-9 after 46 minutes.

Another substitute, Mark Hodnett, then kicked over a two-pointer to give Carbery Rangers a healthy advantage.

The teams traded points before Carbery Rangers were briefly reduced to 14 men when Kelan Scannell picked up a black card with five minutes remaining. Corkery raised an orange flag for Nemo as they trailed 3-11 to 1-12.

The sides swapped points before a Paul Hodnett free ensured Carbery Rangers ran out six-point winners.

Clonakilty got the better of Cill na Martra in one of the other Division 1 games played on Friday evening, 1-14 to 0-16.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: D Hayes, P O’Rourke 1-2 each, P Hodnett 0-4 (0-3 f), D O’Neill 1-0, M Hodnett (1 2pt), J O’Rourke 0-2 each, C Santry 0-1.

Nemo Rangers: R Corkery 0-8 (2 2pt, 0-3 f), D O’Sullivan 1-2, C Horgan 0-2 (0-2 f), S Burke 0-1.

CARBERY RANGERS: A O’Brien; T O’Rourke, J Kevane, P Óg Hill; J O’Rourke, C Daly, B Hodnett; J O’Brien, K Scannell; B Kerr, P Hodnett, J Hodnett; P O’Rourke, D Hayes, C Santry.

Subs: C Twomey for B Kerr (h-t), M Hodnett for J O’Brien (40), D O’Neill for C Twomey (43, inj), P Tobin for J Kevane (46, inj).

NEMO RANGERS: D O’Leary; T O’Brien, M Hill, C Moore; C Molloy, S Cronin, L Horgan; A O’Donovan, C Shalloe; J O’Brien, R Dalton, C Horgan; R Corkery, D O’Sullivan, S Burke.

Subs: E Kelly for C Shalloe, C Yellend for J O’Brien (both h-t), E Nation for S Burke (40), N O’Shea for L Horgan, B Cripps for T O’Brien, C Kiely for D O’Sullivan (all 52).

Referee: John Ryan (Macroom).