Newcestown stun Nemo to open championship with a statement victory

Newcestown: 2-16 (2-3-10) 

Nemo Rangers: 1-13 (1-2-9) 

A historic day for Newcestown as they made a statement with a deserved six-point win over Nemo Rangers in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC at Cloughduv on Saturday evening.

This Group 2 Round 1 battle was a repeat of last year’s semi-final clash, which Nemo won after extra time, but there can be no complaints about this result. A first championship win for Newcestown over Nemo when it comes to the big ball.

Newcestown were outstanding for the majority, albeit against a Nemo side down a few key players and never getting to the pitch of the game.

Seamus O’Sullivan had an eventful day. He was Newcestown’s top scorer with 0-7, while also picking up a black card — a ten-minute window that Nemo failed to capitalise on — and then going off with a hamstring injury.

It was, though, a real collective display, typical Newcestown. Cork footballer David Buckley kicked 0-4, and while he wasn’t hugely influential in terms of scoring, it was the unseen work and the breaking ball that impressed most from him.

Nemo Rangers did start brightly, with Ross Corkery a key figure. He pointed and was also denied a goal by Newcestown goalkeeper Christopher White.

The swirling breeze was causing havoc for both teams.

A pair of Seamus O’Sullivan efforts briefly nudged Newcestown ahead before Nemo raised a green flag after 15 minutes. Barry Cripps played in Alan O’Donovan and he rifled the ball into the net.

Newcestown’s response was strong, though. They hit four scores on the trot, including two-pointers from Seamus O’Sullivan (play) and David Buckley (free), to lead 0-8 to 1-1 after 20 minutes.

Conor Shalloe did point for Nemo, but they were second best.

Newcestown got their own goal two minutes before the 30th minute. Luke Meade’s long delivery into the square saw his brother Jack Meade beat netminder Micheál Aodh Martin to the dropping ball and punch it into the net, 1-8 to 1-2.

It got better when Seamus O’Sullivan landed another two-pointer, but a minute later he received a black card for a deliberate trip.

Nemo at least got the last score of the half when Corkery bisected the posts, leaving it 1-10 to 1-3 at half-time.

Two early wides at the start of the second half summed up Nemo’s day.

A fisted Eoghan Collins effort extended Newcestown’s advantage before Conor Horgan got only Nemo’s fourth point.

The sides traded white flags as Seamus O’Sullivan returned to the field, 1-12 to 1-5 after 39 minutes.

They exchanged points again before Collins got Newcestown’s second goal 16 minutes from time. He had an easy finish, with sub Humphrey Canty involved in the build-up, 2-13 to 1-6.

Cork footballer Mark Cronin, quiet by his standards, got his first score with a two-pointer, but time was against his side.

Nemo kicked two of the next three scores, including a Corkery orange flag, but they trailed 2-14 to 1-11 after 58 minutes.

A Mark Cronin free and a Kevin Fulignati point made things interesting, but a Jack Meade fisted point and a beauty of a free from Buckley sealed a significant victory for Newcestown.

Scorers for Newcestown: S O’Sullivan 0-7 (2 2pt), J Meade 1-2, D Buckley 0-4 (1 2pt f, 0-1 f), E Collins 1-1, M McSweeney, L Meade 0-1 each.

Nemo Rangers: R Corkery 0-5 (1 2pt), M Cronin 0-3 (1 2pt, 0-1 f), A O’Donovan 1-0, C Horgan 0-2 (0-1 f), K Fulignati, B Murphy, C Shalloe 0-1 each.

NEWCESTOWN: C White; J Kelleher, C O’Donovan, G O’Donovan; R O’Sullivan, M McSweeney, C Dinneen; S O’Donovan, E Collins; L Meade, T Twomey, D Buckley; D McAree, J Meade, S O’Sullivan.

Subs: H Canty for S O’Sullivan (43, inj), C Keane for T Twomey (50).

NEMO RANGERS: MA Martin; N O’Shea, M Hill, C Moore; L Horgan, S Cronin, K Fulignati; A O’Donovan, B Murphy; C Shalloe, M Cronin, B Cripps; R Corkery, R Dalton, C Horgan.

Subs: E Nation for N O’Shea (32-34, temp), T O’Brien for C Shalloe, K O’Donovan for L Horgan (both 48).

Referee: Ciarán Murphy (Glanworth).