Division 7 FL Final: Carbery Rangers prove too good for St James in second half to win league final

Carbery Rangers 2-16 (2-2-12) 

St James 0-9 (0-2-5) 

A powerful second half performance saw Carbery Rangers defeat St James in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 7 county football league final at Clonakilty on Thursday evening.

Separated by a mere 11km, the West Cork neighbours served up an entertaining league decider in which the Rosscarbery club emerged merited winners.

Second half Eoghan Hayes and J P Eady goals put the seal on Rangers’ success in a final Jack O’Regan and Mark Hodnett’s accurate shooting proved critical. 

Coached by former Cork senior inter-county and All-Ireland winning footballer John Hayes, Carbery Rangers deservedly lifted the trophy and showed why they will be a force in next year’s Division 6.

It was an evening to forget for St James who, despite drawing level late in the opening half, coughed up possession far too often and could have little argument with the outcome. 

Poor shooting also blighted the league final’s runners-up’s evening but St James also have Division 6 football to look forward to in 2027.

Carbery Rangers’ seconds string entered Thursday’s showdown off the back of an impressive seven wins and one draw from their nine county league outings. 

St James finished two points behind the table toppers but struggled to get going and went a full quarter of an hour before altering the scoreboard.

Rangers had already floated over three points by that juncture thanks to John O’Brien, James Fitzpatrick and Mark Hodnett.

Guilty of repeatedly coughing up possession, St James’ Mark Evans finally split the posts after 15 minutes. 

A superb Jack O’Regan two-pointer stretched the leaders advantage to four before Alan O’Shea’s side got to grips with the occasion.

Ian Evans landed a two-point free, James O’Donovan raised a white flag and Aaron Hayes blazed over from close range to make it five points apiece.

Rangers remained patient in possession and utilised their long-range scoring ability to finish the half strongly. 

Mark Hodnett and Eoghan Hayes fired over from distance and Jack O’Regan added his second two-pointer.

Colm Hayes completed a fine half hour’s work to make it 0-10 to 0-5 in Carbery Rangers’ favour at the short whistle.

A scrappy start to the second period saw neither team settle until Sean O’Reilly finished off a pitch-long move to reduce the deficit.

John Hayes’ side quickly reasserted control around the middle of the pitch. Jack O’Regan and Colm Hayes fired over before Conor Hayes offered St James hope with a terrific two-pointer.

Their opponents response was instant and deadly. A swift team move concluded with Alan O’Rourke floating a pass towards Eoghan Hayes who bravely flicked to the net. 

Hayes’ collision with Cathal Hennessy, in the act of scoring, resulted in both players going off injured.

1-12 to 0-8 ahead, John O’Brien and Mark Hodnett (two) points put the result beyond doubt despite Aaron Hayes landing a late St James free.

Patrick Hurley round off the scoring to confirm Carbery Rangers as Division 7 county league winners.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: J O’Regan 0–5 (2 2pts), M Hodnett 0-4 (0-1 f), E Hayes 1-1, J P Eady 1-0, J O’Brien, C Hayes 0-2 each, J Fitzpatrick, P Hurley 0-1 each.

St James: I Evans (1 2pt f), C Hayes (1 2pt), A Hayes (0-1 f) 0-2 each, M Evans, J O’Donovan, S O’Reilly 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: P Shanahan; P Òg Hill, K Eady, C Buchanan; P Hurley, B Kerr, A O’Rourke; J Fitzpatrick (captain), J O’Brien; M Maguire, M Hodnett, A Jennings; C Hayes, J O’Regan, E Hayes.

Subs: C O’Donovan for E Hayes (51, inj), P Hodnett for M Maguire (54), J P Eady for C Hayes (60), D Kerr for C Buchanan (60), R Hayes for A O’Rourke (60).

ST JAMES: N Evans; M (B) McCarthy, C Hayes, C Hennessy; C McShane, Joe O’Sullivan, James O’Sullivan; D McCarthy, C Hayes, A Hayes (captain), M Evans; S O’Reilly, J O’Donovan, I Evans.

Subs: K O’Leary for J O’Sullivan (39), F Hayes for S O’Reilly (39), K O’Brien for J O’Donovan (44), T Feen for C Hennessy (51, inj), J O’Sullivan for D McCarthy (56, inj), S O’Connor for C Whelton (59, inj).

Referee: Andrew Whelton (Clonakilty).