Nemo Rangers negotiating injury issues as they look towards crucial Valley Rovers clash

Before any football was kicked in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Premier SFC in Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon, the Nemo Rangers and St Michael’s camps were filling us in on their wounded players.

Selector Jimmy Kerrigan - always helpful - explained how Nemo had to rejig their starting team because Mark Cronin and Conor Horgan were ruled out. Likewise, Hugh Murphy went out of his way to tell us that numbers 17 Ross Coleman, 20 Eric Hegarty, 23 Eoghan Buckley, 28 Simon Falvey and 29 Domhnall Cremin wouldn’t be available for St Michael’s. 

Big blows to both clubs.

We didn’t get to chat to St Michael’s afterwards. But coming out on the wrong side of a 1-21 to 2-10 scoreline with no points on the board, they have it all to do against Newcestown.

CHALLENGING

Nemo Rangers arrived with no points either, in Group 2. Their manager Robbie O’Dwyer admitted it’s been a challenge.

“It was all about getting the result today, regardless of what kind of a result. We were depleted by injuries so it has been a tough enough season. But look, we are back on the horse now, a win is a win. We just want to move forward from here.

“Mark has a quad injury and Conor broke a bone in his hand, both during the week. 

We’ll just have to make do and get on with it. It’s the next player up and they have to step up.

“Bryan Hayes came off injured towards the end, he is complaining about his knee or his hamstring, so we’ll have to see how he is.” 

Trying to stay injury-free is the primary hurdle ahead of their clash with table-toppers Valley Rovers in round three next month.

Valleys (4), Newcestown (2), Nemo Rangers (2) and St Michael’s (0) is how it looks.

Kevin O’Donovan was outstanding, scoring four points from wing-back. Ross Corkery nabbed nine points up front, including a classy two-pointer. They’ve had their share of injuries too.

“Ross is having a great season for us. Look, it’s fingers crossed they come through. We can rest now and take a couple of days off and get bodies sorted.

“It’s Kevin’s first full game playing and he cramped up near the end but that is to be expected. This game will bring him on a pile. The more games Kevin gets and the more training sessions, he will get better.” 

O’Dwyer is in his third year at the helm in Nemo Rangers after Paul O’Donovan stepped down in 2024, and he was involved as a successful coach before that. He said they had to be on their guard against St Michael’s.

“We told the lads not to be complacent, because everyone was saying we’re going to beat them. St Michael’s are not a bad team, luckily enough we performed and we got the result and we are happy with that.

If St Michael’s win the next day, it’s going to be a tight group.

“In fairness to Valley Rovers, they’re in a good position with four points. All these games are going to be competitive so you don’t expect you’re going to go out and win. You’ve got to earn them.

“This is my third year as manager and we had won all our group games, this is the first year we haven’t. It is what it is. We’re in the position we’re in, and we have to push on and try and perform the next day and get bodies right.”