Premier 1 MFC: Carrigaline deliver polished display to progress past Nemo Rangers

Carrigaline: 2-11 (2-1-9) 

Nemo Rangers: 1-9 (1-2-5) 

Carrigaline booked their place in the semi-finals of the Cork ETB Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC after overcoming Nemo Rangers at Shanbally on Wednesday evening.

The sides had only met two weeks ago in the group stage, but with three teams finishing level on points, a play-off was required. Holders Ballincollig received the bye, leaving Carrigaline and Nemo to face off once more.

Nemo had edged the previous meeting by a point, yet this was a more rounded Carrigaline display, one that delivered a deserved five-point win in this quarter-final. 

They never trailed, never looked in bother, and produced a polished performance with Ben Corkery-Delaney and Luke Jordan leading the scoring charge. Cork minor Eoghan Ahern was hugely influential around the middle as Carrigaline progressed with confidence.

Carrigaline will now meet Douglas, while Ballincollig face Clonakilty in the last four.

Nemo suffered an early blow after just four minutes when goalkeeper Callum McCarthy-O’Donovan picked up a black card. Carrigaline made full use of the numerical advantage, and although it took Nemo until the 22nd minute to raise a score, it was a long way back. The city side trailed by seven at the short whistle and never managed to claw it back.

Carrigaline opened with two Corkery-Delaney frees, either side of McCarthy-O’Donovan’s black card for a foul on Conor Murphy. The extra man added to Carrigaline’s control, and they struck 1-1 in two minutes through Jordan, his goal rifled into the roof of the net for a 1-3 to 0-0 lead after 11 minutes.

Nemo returned to their full complement soon after and finally got off the mark on 22 minutes via a Morgan Corkery free. But Carrigaline dominated the first half, with Matthew Kiernan and Ollie Lynch central to a watertight defence. 

Corkery-Delaney and Jordan added points, and Jordan was unlucky not to grab a second goal when his effort rattled the crossbar on the stroke of half-time. Carrigaline led 1-5 to 0-1 at the interval.

Michael Scott pointed for Nemo on the restart as they emerged with renewed intent. The sides traded scores before a Larry Butler two-point free narrowed the gap to four, 1-6 to 0-5 after 36 minutes. McCarthy-O’Donovan then made a smart save to deny Corkery-Delaney, keeping Nemo alive.

It proved important when Corkery pointed for the team in green and black, but Carrigaline responded with the score of the game — Corkery-Delaney converting an orange flag from a difficult free to push them 1-8 to 0-6 ahead after 48 minutes.

Cormac Sheehan’s two-pointer cut the deficit again, but Carrigaline struck a decisive blow six minutes from time when Corkery-Delaney finished a Jordan sideline delivery to the net. The sides traded points as Carrigaline moved 2-9 to 0-9 ahead entering the final minutes.

Seán Collins’ side closed out with white flags from their only two scorers, Corkery-Delaney and Jordan, sealing the win. 

Nemo, in typical fashion, battled to the end and were rewarded with a consolation goal when sub Cian Herlihy finished superbly into the top corner.

Carrigaline march on, extending their season.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B Corkery-Delaney 1-6 (0-2 f, 1 2pt f), L Jordan 1-5.

Nemo Rangers: L Butler 0-3 (1 2pt f), C Herlihy 1-0, C Sheehan (1 2pt), M Corkery (0-1 f) 0-2 each, C Power, M Scott 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE: D McSorley; C Moloney, G O’Brien, J Bryan; D Ó Beoláin, M Kiernan, O Lynch; S Collins, C Hanratty; E Ahern, B Corkery-Delaney, Conor Murphy; L Jordan, D Scannell-Murphy, Cillian Murphy.

Subs: C Buckley for Conor Murphy (34), J O’Grady for S Collins (54), R Murphy for J Bryan (57), J Scannell for O Lynch (63).

NEMO RANGERS: C McCarthy-O’Donovan; D Geary, J McGorry, A Quinlivan; M McCarthy, D Kelleher, J Randles; C Sheehan, C Power; C Randles, M Scott, L Butler; R Denn, M O’Keeffe, M Corkery.

Subs: R Horgan for R Denn (4-14, temp), S O’Flaherty for R Denn (32), C Herlihy for D Kelleher (48, inj), M O’Leary for M Scott (56).

Referee: John Ryan (Macroom).