Premier 1 MFC: Carrigaline rally from seven down to stun Douglas

Carrigaline: 1-17 (1-5-7) 

Douglas: 1-16 (1-3-10) 

Carrigaline produced a stunning comeback as they defeated Douglas in the Cork ETB Rebel Óg Premier 1 MFC semi-final at the SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh 4G pitch on Wednesday evening.

This last-four clash looked set to go only one way for the majority of the game, with Douglas firmly in the driving seat. They led by four points at half-time and were seven clear after 53 minutes, but Carrigaline finished with a flourish.

A goal from Luke Jordan and three two-pointers — including two from Ben Corkery-Delaney — completed an incredible turnaround as Carrigaline booked their spot in the final in the most dramatic closing stages imaginable.

There were joyous celebrations afterwards, and understandably so. This was a sweet one for Carrigaline, who had played second fiddle for most of the contest.

They hit the first score and wouldn’t lead again until the dying embers — timed to perfection.

The sides traded early points before a superb Ben Herlihy two-pointer gave Douglas a two-point cushion.

It was an even start, but Douglas pounced for a goal after nine minutes. They capitalised on a mistake in the Carrigaline defence as Adam Kelly set up Thomas Murray.

Carrigaline’s response couldn’t have been more positive. They kicked four unanswered points — three from Cillian Murphy and one from Jordan — to make it 1-3 to 0-5 after 16 minutes.

In a half where neither side could pull away, Douglas hit four scores in a row, including an Adam Kelly orange flag.

Carrigaline had goal chances but that final killer pass was just lacking. A Corkery-Delaney two-point free and an Eoghan Ahern effort left them only 1-8 to 0-8 adrift five minutes before the interval.

Douglas finished the half better, landing three of the last four scores. Influential midfielder Liam Cregan kicked the pick of their points.

Carrigaline’s score was another two-point free from Corkery-Delaney, leaving it 1-11 to 0-10 at half-time.

Douglas could have been further ahead early in the second half, but Diarmuid O’Donoghue dragged a shot wide and then hit the post two minutes later.

It was a case of fine margins. Carrigaline also had a glorious goal chance, but Corkery-Delaney’s effort crashed off the crossbar, while Diarmuid Ó Beoláin was unlucky not to find the net.

The sides traded points before a Herlihy free pushed Douglas 1-13 to 0-11 ahead after 48 minutes. It was a low-scoring half so far, but a Herlihy orange flag from a free gave them a healthy cushion.

Then a spark for the eventual winners. Cork minor Eoghan Ahern played a crucial role as Carrigaline stayed in touch, and Jordan finished expertly to the net seven minutes from time.

Ahern and Corkery-Delaney (free) kicked two-pointers to draw parity as the game entered added time.

Extra time looked likely, but sharpshooter Corkery-Delaney raised another orange flag — this time from play — as Carrigaline led for the first time since the opening minutes, 1-17 to 1-15.

Douglas pushed for a goal, but Carrigaline defended superbly. Sub Danny O’Donovan, with the outside of his boot, attempted a spectacular goal, but the effort was always rising and went over the bar.

The final whistle sounded from the resulting kick-out as Carrigaline recorded a wonderful victory.

Scorers for Carrigaline: B Corkery-Delaney 0-10 (3 2pt f, 1 2pt, 0-1 f), L Jordan 1-1, E Ahern (1 2pt), Cillian Murphy 0-3 each.

Douglas: B Herlihy 0-7 (1 2pt f, 1 2pt, 0-2 f), A Kelly 0-4 (1 2pt), T Murray 1-0, L Cregan 0-2, J Naughton, D O’Connor, D O’Donovan 0-1 each.

CARRIGALINE: D McSorley; C Moloney, C Buckley, 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: A O’Connell for C Buckley (42), J Scannell for C Moloney (49), R Murphy for O Lynch, H Sisk for Conor Murphy (both 53).

DOUGLAS: R Hourihan; P Rudden, R McCarthy, T Curtin; J Gordon, D O’Donoghue, C McLoughlin; J Naughton, L Cregan; D O’Connor, D Barry, T Reddington; B Herlihy, A Kelly, T Murray.

Subs: C McAuliffe for D Barry (36, inj), I Butler for C McLoughlin (42, inj), M Keeshan for D O’Connor, C Crowley for J Naughton (both 47), D O’Donovan for T Reddington (61).

Referee: Robert Whelan (Aghada).