Carbery Rangers into SAFC semi-finals with convincing victory over Newmarket

Carbery Rangers 1-19 Newmarket 2-8 

Carbery Rangers sealed their direct progression to the semi-final of the Cork Senior A FC after a convincing win over Newmarket in Carrigadrohid.

Ten-minute Carbery Rangers purple patches in either half, coupled with some slack conversion from Newmarket after the interval, were key to the result here.

With Ross forward trio Paul Hodnett, Daragh Hayes and young Cork tyro Dylan O’Neill prominent throughout, the West Cork men had the greater potency and will now take that threat to the business-end.

Newmarket enjoyed success early on with piercing runs from wing-back duo Aidan Browne and Brion O’Keeffe causing bother to the Ross defence, their scores were supplemented by Cork senior hurler Hugh O’Connor’s ability from placed balls and the North Cork men were 4-1 in the ascendancy by the 10-minute mark.

Then came the Carbery Rangers charge.

That aforementioned Ross trio were front-and-centre as Robbie Ahern’s Carbery Rangers outfit found themselves up 10 points to five by the 27th minute.

Ryan O’Keeffe did find a much-needed Newmarket response. First, Cathal Browne battled to win a free, which was converted by O’Keeffe.

Then came the big O’Keeffe two-pointer. That brought the lead back to two before Patrick Hurley and Dylan O’Neill – after good work from John O’Rourke – meant Ross took a four-point lead in at the interval. Twelve points to eight.

Newmarket’s lacklustre start to the second-half, if front of goal that is, meant they took no advantage from the 10-minute numerical advantage handed to them by Jerry O’Riordan’s black card dismissal on the half-time whistle.

In fact, Carbery Rangers would be five up by O’Riordan’s return in the 40th minute. That 13th point came off the boot of veteran John O’Rourke.

The introduction of Cork underage star Timmy Cullinane yielded another fine score and Ross never looked back from there. Hayes added another goal and point to his collection.

Hodnett and O’Neill enjoyed a second burst too. Newmarket’s brace of goals, both from Cathal Browne, gave Newmarket a sniff, but Ross scores from Sam Lenihan and that man Hayes ensured the margin remained a wide one.

Scorers for Carbery Rangers: D Hayes 1-5, P Hodnett 0-6 (0-4 f), D O’Neill 0-4, J O’Rourke, P Hurley, K Scannell, T Cullinane 0-1 each.

Newmarket: C Browne 2-0, R O’Keeffe 0-3 (0-1 f, 0-1 tp), H O’Connor 0-2 f, A Browne, B O’Keeffe, D O’Keeffe 0-1 each.

CARBERY RANGERS: P. Shanahan; C. Daly, J. Keavane, S. Lenihan; K. Scannell, G. O'Riordan, B. Kerr; J. O'Brien, B. Hodnett; J. O'Rourke (c), P. Hodnett, P. Hurley; P. O'Rourke, D. Hayes, D. O'Neill.

Subs: T. Cullinane for B. Kerr (40), J O’Riordan for P. O’Rourke (45), J. Hodnett for P. Hodnett, M. Hodnett for K. Scannell (both 50).

NEWMARKET: J. O'Keeffe; M. Browne, G. Forde, E. Goggin; A. Browne (C), B. Daly, B. O'Keeffe; P. Allen, M. Cottrell; H. O'Connor, C. Browne, D. Cottrell; D. O'Keeffe, R. O'Keeffe, T. Ryan.

Subs: S. Murphy for E. Goggin (10), M. Lane for S. Murphy (25), K. Daly for T. Ryan (50).

Referee: P O’Leary (Kilmurry).