Gabriels Rangers defeat St Finbarr's but both sides bow out of Intermediate A Championship

Gabriel Rangers 2-12 (2-1-10) St Finbarr’s 0-10 (0-1-8) 

Gabriel Rangers overcame St Finbarr’s in the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Intermediate AFC but neither club progressed at Ballinacarriga on Saturday afternoon.

The Ballydehob club did what they had to do. Win their final group game and ensure they would be an intermediate club once again in 2027.

Late Eoin O’Brien and Eddie Goggin goals sealed a deserved victory over a misfiring St Finbarr’s side that squandered three guilt-edged chances to find the net.

Yet, the west Cork club’s victory was overshadowed by events elsewhere. Also in Group 2, Dromtarriffe’s surprise 4-12 to 0-16 win over previously undefeated Mitchelstown ended Gabriels' hopes of making the knockout stages.

Results elsewhere also denied St Finbarr’s second string a chance at making the quarter-finals but also confirmed there would be no relegation play-off for the Togher side.

Amid showers of light rain, it was Gabriels who enjoyed the brighter start.

Despite playing with the aid of light wind, the Barrs quickly fell two points behind after Ger O’Callaghan and Keith O’Driscoll split the posts.

Cian O’Sullivan got the Togher club on the scoreboard but, dominating midfield, it was their opponents who enjoyed the greater share of possession.

Christopher Moynihan fired over Rangers’ third score prior John Buttimer replying.

Liam Hegarty produced an excellent stop to deny David O’Kelly a certain goal but St Finbarr’s O’Sullivan levelled from the resulting 45.

The scores kept coming as Goggin and Paddy O’Driscoll restored Gabriel’s two-point advantage, 0-5 to 0-3, to close a free-flowing opening quarter.

Denis O’Brien’s two-pointer levelled matters for a second time yet Rangers’ ability to win primary possession saw the Carbery club reassert control.

Keith O’Driscoll and Eddie Goggin raised white flags before Christopher Moynihan struck an upright.

Poor shooting blighted the leaders' chances of opening a bigger gap however and Cathal Crowley scored to make it 0-7 to 0-6.

Paddy O’Driscoll sent the west Cork men in two points clear at the interval but injury prevented the influential forward from returning after the break.

There was still time for Liam Hegarty to produce his second top-class save of the game.

Ciaran Steele made it a one-point game shortly after the resumption but Gabriels hit back via Eddie Goggin and Keith O’Driscoll to lead by three.

Poor shooting once again blighted the Carbery side’s chances of pulling clear and Eoin Keane reduced the deficit after 45 minutes. Thomas O’Keefe made it a one-point game soon after.

Next, Sean Kelleher’s superbly converted two-point free allayed Gabriel Rangers concerns to make it 0-12 to 0-9.

News of Dromtarrife’s lead filtered through and dampened Rangers’ spirits. Eoin Keane’s converted free did little to lighten the mood on the Gabriels sideline.

Creditably, 0-12 to 0-10 ahead, the Ballydehob club finished their campaign with a flourish.

First, Eoin O’Brien got on the end of a sweeping move and billowed the St Finbarr’s net.

There was still time for Eddie Goggin to turn a defender and find the bottom corner to complete the afternoon’s scoring.

Scorers for Gabriel Rangers: E Goggin 1-3, K O’Driscoll 0-3, E O’Brien 1-0, S Kelleher (1 2ptf), P O’Driscoll 0-2 each, G O’Callaghan, C Moynihan 0-1 each.

St Finbarr’s: C O’Sullivan (0-1 45), D O’Brien (1 2ptf), E Keane (0-1f) 0-2 each, J Buttimer, C Crowley, C Steele, T O’Keefe 0-1 each.

GABRIEL RANGERS: L Hegarty; L Hodnett, D O’Regan, K O’Sullivan; L Bowen, K O’Leary (c), D McSweeney; S Kelleher, C Moynihan; J O’Brien, G Coughlan, P O’Driscoll; K O’Driscoll, E Goggin, G O’Callaghan.

Subs: M Vearnacombe for P O’Driscoll (20, inj), L O’Brien for J O’Brien (45), R Roycroft for D McSweeney (48), E O’Brien for G O’Callaghan (53), M Cronin for K O’Brien (60).

ST FINBARR’S: C Haines; J Kennefick, C Steele, E Hurley; T Howe, D O’Kelly, J K Long; C Crowley, A Lyne (c); A Buckley, C Buckley, D O’Brien; C O’Sullivan, I O’Callaghan, J Buttimer.

Subs: E Keane for A Buckley (ht), T O’Keefe for J K Long (42), A Murphy for C O’Sullivan (42), A McCarthy for T Howe (49), C Keane for J Buttimer (60).

Referee: Jerry Kelleher (St John’s).