Division 1 FL: Eire Og relegated as a result of a home defeat against Clonakilty
Clonakilty's Sean White is tackled by Diarmuid Dineen of Eire Og during their SFL clash in Ovens.
Clonakilty ended their McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Football League Division 1 campaign on a winning note in Ovens on Sunday, with Éire Óg despite a strong effort suffering relegation.
This deserved victory for West Cork side, which may not have been enough ultimately to make the league final, should prove a useful workout ahead of the upcoming Cork club championship campaign.
A competitive opening quarter saw the sides exchange early scores. Clon split the posts courtesy of Ross Mannix and a lovely Sean White score.
Brian Thompson was proving a potent attacking weapon for the home side, as he added a number impressive points for Éire Óg, who led 0-5 to 0-3 after 17 minutes.
Although Clon continued to pose an attacking threat, a Chris Kenneally point was the best they could muster on the 25 minute mark.
Éire Óg goalkeeper Chris Kelly show glimpses of why he has been around the Cork senior football setup, with a lovely two pointed free, with Ross Mannix responding with a score for Clon on the stroke of the interval.
After a productive opening half, it was Éire Óg who held the advantage at 0-9 to the 0-6 of Clonakilty.
Following the half time break there was a kick in Clonakilty, as they reduced the gap down to a point thanks to scores from Sean McEvoy and Dylan Harrington.
The momentum was now with Clon. A point by Darragh Gough saw the sides on level terms at 0-9 apiece, before the same man slotted over a well taken two pointer to put the visitors in front.
When Ben Ridgeway slotted over, Clonakilty were ahead 0-12 to 0-9 and at this stage well in the ascendancy.
Éire Óg then got much needed points courtesy of Mark Griffin and Hurley to reduce the gap between the sides back down to just a point.
Midway through the second half Clonakilty kicked on again, with scores coming through Mannix and Gough, as the visitors led 0-16 to 0-11 after 45 minutes.
Éire Óg were not throwing in the towel by any means, with scores including through Hurley keeping the pressure up and ensuring this game had everything to play for heading into the closing stages.
Although Mannix got another score for Clon, another lovely two pointer by Kelly saw the teams level at 0-17 each with less than five minutes remaining.
With the excitement levels at fever pitch, Clonakilty held their nerve to secure the victory thanks to late points by Niall Barrett and Gough.
C Kelly (2 2ptf), B Thompson 0-4 each, B Hurley (2f), S Hurley (1f) 0-3 each, J Kelleher, M Griffin, M Corkery 0-1 each.
D Gough 0-6 (2 2pt), R Mannix 0-5 , D Harrington 0-2, S White, D Darragh, C Kenneally, S McEvoy, B Ridgeway, N Barrett 0-1 each.
C Kelly; C Murphy, M Corkery, J Mullins; D Dineen, M Griffin, B Thompson; M Kelleher, C McGoldrick; D Kelly, O O’Shea, J Kelleher; S Hurley, B Hurley, C Kirwan.
J Murphy for Kelleher (35), R O’Toole for Kirwan (45), C Quigley for B Hurley (56).
J Leahy; D Lowney, D Peet, N Barrett; J O’Mahony, T Clancy, C Kenneally; B Ridgeway, D Darragh; D Kenneally, S White, D Harrington; R Mannix, D Gough, S McEvoy.
C Ryan for White (43)
John Ryan (Macroom).
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