McCarthy Insurance Group Football League wrap: Cork player Jacob O'Driscoll nets crucial goal in Valley Rovers win
Valley Rovers' Jacob O'Driscoll is tackled by Carbery Rangers' Brian Hodnett in 2023. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
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- Clinical Knocknagree hit Éire Óg for three goals to push up Division 1 table
Uibh Laoire are three points clear at the top of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 2 Football League following another exciting round of action.
It was Round 6 for the majority of clubs, with just three more games of the regular league season remaining. With championship edging ever closer, the league tables are tightening across the board.
In Division 1, there were wins for Castlehaven, Newcestown, Carbery Rangers, Clonakilty and Knocknagree, with reports on four of those games attached to the start of this article.
Uibh Laoire have kept up their strong start in Division 2 thanks to a fifth win in six outings, this time on home soil against Castletownbere.
The Muskerry men now sit on 10 points, but they were pushed all the way, edging it 1-11 to 0-11. Oisín Herlihy struck the decisive goal for the leaders.
Clyda Rovers have moved level with Ballincollig on seven points after beating the Village 2-13 to 1-14 in Mourneabbey. The home side led 2-6 to 0-6 at the break, with goals from Seán O’Sullivan and Patrick Ryan proving key. David Cooney was the chief scorer for Karyn Graham’s charges.
Dohenys are another side on seven points. They proved too strong for visitors St Michael’s, winning 1-17 to 1-9. Shane Barry top-scored for the Carbery outfit with 0-6, all from play, while Adam O’Donovan got in on the goal-scoring act once again.
Valley Rovers, after losing their opening three games, have now won three on the bounce. Goals were crucial in Innishannon as Valley's defeated Carrigaline 3-9 to 0-14. They overturned a two-point half-time deficit to raise three green flags in the second half.
Cork footballer Jacob O’Driscoll, Adam Walsh-Murphy and Adam Casey supplied the goals. Darragh O’Shea, Eoghan Delaney and Seán McEntee all chipped in with 0-2 apiece.
It was always going to be a difficult outing for Carrigaline given it was their first game since the unexpected passing of one of their key players, Darragh King. Carrigaline remain firmly in the promotion hunt on seven points.
In Division 3, Bishopstown are now outright leaders on 10 points after a hard-earned away win over Naomh Abán, who drop three points behind.
Brian Cuthbert’s side came out of Ballyvourney with a 1-13 to 0-11 victory. Cork U20 footballer Gary Holland was the star man with 1-4, while Conor Dunne, Mark Scally and Kieran McFadden were also on target for the city outfit.
Promotion hopefuls Kanturk and Aghabullogue shared the spoils after a cracking contest in Kanturk. It finished 0-16 to 1-13, leaving Kanturk on seven points, two behind Aghabullogue.
Matthew Bradley’s goal looked to have secured a huge win for the Muskerry men, but a last-gasp Grantas Bucinskas free ensured the points were shared.
Newmarket have finally begun to flex their muscles under Kerry man Keith Moynihan. After losing their first four games, they’ve now won two on the trot. Following their win over Mallow a fortnight ago, they beat Rockchapel 0-19 to 1-13 on home soil. Ryan O’Keeffe and Barry O’Connor both kicked 0-5.
Moving to Division 4, Buttevant remain in the promotion picture after grinding out a 0-12 to 1-8 victory over Gabriel Rangers in Buttevant.
Joey Hanlon’s side sit on seven points. Donal Ryan fisted the winner, while Mark Lenahan was the standout performer once again for the black and amber with 0-8, including two two-pointers.
Glanmire are top on nine points after winning at home against Adrigole, 3-13 to 0-13.
Castlehaven 1-18 St Finbarr’s 0-17; Douglas 0-10 Newcestown 1-12; Clonakilty 1-14 Cill na Martra 0-16; Carbery Rangers 3-13 Nemo Rangers 1-13; Éire Óg 0-11 Knocknagree 3-17.
Dohenys 1-17 St Michael’s 1-9; Clyda Rovers 2-13 Ballincollig 1-14; Valley Rovers 3-9 Carrigaline 0-14; O’Donovan Rossa 3-16 Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh 1-21; Uibh Laoire 1-11 Castletownbere 0-11.
Fermoy 1-14 Mallow 0-13; Newmarket 0-19 Rockchapel 1-13; Kilshannig 2-9 Bandon 3-12; Kanturk 0-16 Aghabullogue 1-13; Naomh Abán 0-11 Bishopstown 1-13.
Buttevant 0-12 Gabriel Rangers 1-8; Boherbue 2-17 Aghada 3-12; Glanmire 3-13 Adrigole 0-13; Macroom 4-7 Kilmurry 1-19.
Mitchelstown 1-11 Ballydesmond 0-9; St Nick’s 1-8 St Vincent’s 2-13; Ilen Rovers 1-12 Kinsale 0-12.
Kildorrery 2-12 Cobh 0-5; Argideen Rangers 2-7 Dromtarriffe 1-12; Glanworth 1-11 Glenville 2-12; Aghinagh 0-17 Kilmacabea 1-14.
Castlemagner 1-7 Donoughmore 0-11; St James’ 0-17 Ballygarvan 2-11; Passage West 0-7 Liscarroll/Churchtown Gaels 0-13; Nemo Rangers 0-5 Carbery Rangers 0-9.
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