Robbie Ahern hails resilience and belief as Carbery Rangers’ revival gathers pace

Carbery Rangers manager Robbie Ahern says his side’s renewed confidence and work rate are the driving forces behind their impressive turnaround.

Last Friday’s 3-13 to 1-13 win over Nemo Rangers in Rosscarbery in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League made it four victories on the bounce for a group that has rediscovered its spark after a difficult 2025.

It is Ahern’s first season at the helm, and he has had to guide the squad through the aftermath of last year’s relegation from the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC. 

“Look, it’s very, very pleasing,” Ahern said after the six-point win over Nemo.

“We’re playing good football, but there’s a lot of hard work going into it. The players are really putting in shifts out there. 

"We got relegated last year, we were relegated the year before in the league, and we want to be up at the top table of the league. We feel as if we belong up here, and they’re showing it on the pitch.” 

Ahern said the group made a conscious decision early in the year to acknowledge the disappointment of dropping out of the Premier Senior grade — and then move on from it.

“Relegation can go two ways,” he says.

“It can knock the stuffing out of you, or it can sharpen you. We parked it. We acknowledged it, learned from it, and moved on. You can’t just turn it on when championship comes around — the effort has to be there now.” 

That effort was evident again on Friday. While the Carbery Rangers boss admitted the opening spell was below their standard, his side soon settled and controlled the majority of the contest.

“I was disappointed with the start, and I said it to them at half-time,” Ahern noted.

“The first eight minutes or so wasn’t what we’re looking for, and it’s not what we’re about. Nemo had a very good start to the second half as well, but we really knuckled down.” 

The game’s turning points came not just from the starting 15 but from the bench, with Ahern highlighting the influence of his substitutes.

“The red card helped, but the black card for us kind of evened things out, there was still a battle out there,” he said.

“The subs made a big difference. Mark Hodnett has been playing very well for us all year. He didn’t start today, comes on, and puts in a great performance.

“Dylan O’Neill came on and got a great goal. There are six or seven young lads after coming in as well to the panel. They’re helping us in training. They all haven’t got a run yet, but the depth is there. It’s just for us to harness it and use it properly.” 

With three games remaining in the regular league season, Carbery Rangers have put themselves in a strong position to reach the Division 1 final. Eight points from six games represents an excellent return, and next up is a crucial meeting with Éire Óg.

“There has been no major changes from last year. We were trying to play the same football last season.

“Maybe a few nuggets of information has helped them, but realistically it’s down to the players. They’re the ones working hard every day. When you work hard, you can express yourself when you get the ball, and they’re doing that.

“There's a good vibe around the place. We’re all very happy with it. Long may it continue.”