Douglas in with fighting chance of staying up

Last Thursday night Douglas won their third game of the McCarthy Insurance Division One League, a win that gives them a chance of avoiding relegation.

But to do so they need to get at the very least a draw in their final league game away to Castlehaven and even that may not be enough to keep them from going down.

On the positive front they are still in the hunt to stay up, when a few weeks ago they looked doomed to go down.

Two wins on the trot has put them in this position, the last one coming against St Finbarr’s last Thursday night.

That win now sees them sit on six points, along with Nemo Rangers and Cill na Martra, with the Barrs and Éire Óg just above them on seven.

Cill na Martra face the Barrs in their final game so Douglas will be hoping the side their near-city neighbours will do them a favour on the day.

Nemo are at home to Newcestown and the Trabeg side will be expected to win that one so Douglas could very well be looking at the clash of Éire Óg and Clonakilty, that’s of course if they win or at the very least get a draw.

At times in their win over the Barrs they impressed, with Sean Coakey the star of the show with nine points in their 2-11 to 2-9 win. The goals came from Alan O’Hare and Colm MacPhaidin, and overall, they were deserving winners.

Speaking after the game Douglas manager, Conor Buckley, said it was an important win, but more importantly a much-improved performance from his side.

“Obviously it was important that we picked up the points as it now puts us in with a fighting chance of staying up,” said Buckley.

“We know there are a lot of ifs and buts around that, but at least we are in a far better position than we were two games ago.

“The two wins are massive for us, and what really pleased the management group was the performance against the Barrs.

“It was probably one of our best of the season and we needed it to be as they are never an easy side to beat. We managed to get goals at vital times and having Sean Coakley back is a huge plus to us.

“He had a great game and having someone like Sean back in attack would make a big difference to any side. But in fairness others have stepped up in recent weeks as well and we have been improving game by game.

“We still have a few players out injured and hopefully they will start to return in the coming weeks, and one or two might be available for the Castlehaven game.

“They are going to be a massive challenge and going down there is never easy. But we have something to play for now and all we can do is give it our best shot and see what happens.”

It’s going to be an interesting final round of the league with so much to play for many sides, with who goes down and who goes through to the league final still very much at stake.