St Finbarr’s capture the AOS Seandún Division 3 Football League title after big win over Nemo Rangers

St Finbarr’s 1-17 (1-2-13)

Nemo Rangers 1-11 (1-3-5)

St Finbarr’s claimed the AOS Seandún Division 3 Football League title as they defeated Nemo Rangers in the decider at Ballinlough on Saturday.

This game was dictated by the wind as the Trabeg side were restricted to a single score in the opening half. 

The second half was more evenly contested as Nemo Rangers, despite being reduced to 14 players in the 38th minute, outscored the Togher side by 1-10 to 0-7, with three of their scores coming from outside the St Finbarr’s 40-metre arc.

Colm Kerins put the Trabeg side ahead with a point from play after three minutes.

The Togher side, who were playing with wind advantage in the first half, seized the initiative as Faolán Linnane won possession from a St Finbarr’s kick-out, to send Luke O’Shea on a solo run for the game’s opening goal.

St Finbarr’s had Nemo Rangers on the back foot as Ruairí O’Connor tagged on a point from play. He also converted a 45 and a free from outside the Trabeg side’s 40-metre arc, to give his side a lead of 1-4 to 0-1.

Nemo Rangers had their moments midway through the opening half, but wayward shooting was to be their undoing. 

St Finbarr’s net-minder Jason Burns was pulling off spectacular saves.

St Finbarr’s had the Trabeg side pinned back as Luke O’Shea landed a two-pointer from play. JJ O’Connor also chipped in with a point from play and Ruairí O’Connor slotted over a point from a free.

Colm Ó Meachair and Ruairí O’Connor each added further points to give St Finbarr’s an interval lead of 1-10 to 0-1.

Aided by the elements for the second half, Nemo Rangers upped the ante after the interval. 

William Morgan landed a two-pointer from play, which was followed by a pointed free by Jeremiah Kerins. St Finbarr’s responded with a point from play by JJ O’Connor.

Brian Twomey and Jeremiah Kerins added points for the Trabeg side. JJ O’Connor, Luke O’Shea and Ó Meachair each replied with points for St Finbarr’s.

Entering the final quarter, Morgan and Jeremiah Kerins each slotted over two-pointers from frees for Nemo Rangers, to reduce the margin to seven points.

Brian Twomey scored his second point for the Trabeg side, before JK Long responded for St Finbarr’s.

With time running out, Mark Hayes set up Eoin Weldon for a goal for Nemo Rangers, which moved the Trabeg side within four points of St Finbarr’s.

In stoppage time, Ó Meachair added a point from play for the Togher side, which was followed by a pointed free by Ruairí O’Connor.

Scorers for St Finbarr’s: R O’Connor 0-7 (1 2pt f, 0-2f, 0-1 45); L O’Shea 1-3 (1 2pt); C Ó Meachair, JJ O’Connor 0-3 each; JK Long 0-1.

Nemo Rangers: W Morgan 0-4 (1 2 pt, 1 2pt f); J Kerins 0-4 (1 2pt f, 0-1f); E Weldon 1-0; B Twomey 0-2; C Kerins 0-1.

St Finbarr’s: J Burns; M Ryan, R Fitzpatrick, C Dwane; L O’Shea, J Ryan, JK Long; M Nason, S Doolan; C Ó Meachair, F Linnane, B Mannion; R O’Connor, JJ O’Connor, C Livingston.

Sub: G Twomey for Doolan (60+)

Nemo Rangers: B McNally; R Hochstedler, K Stone, S O’Neill; N Weldon, C O’Shea, P Hogan; E Weldon, J O’Keeffe; C Kerins, W Morgan, S Marshall; B Twomey, J Kerins, P Hogan.

Subs: M Hayes for C Kerins, B O’Regan for Hogan (both 52), B O’Connor for O’Neill (58).

Referee: Damian Taaffe (Passage).