Nemo Rangers deliver when it counts to topple Castlehaven in gripping Premier SFC quarter-final
Nemo Rangers' Bryan Hayes celebrates his goal against Castlehaven. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
A performance when it mattered from Nemo Rangers, as they produced a marvellous display to defeat rivals Castlehaven in an entertaining McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC quarter-final on Sunday evening.
In front of a huge crowd in the wonderful setting of Clonakilty, the city side delivered their best showing in a number of years to deservedly win this one by three points.
The Trabeg-based outfit were underdogs coming in, and rightly so, but they have come a long way since their opening‑round trimming by Newcestown.
Never write off Nemo — that has always been the way, and it was reinforced again.
No wides in the first half as they led by six points at the short whistle. They kept that margin after 50 minutes, but Castlehaven rallied and brought it back to one. Nemo, though, had the experience and guile to see the game out.
Former Cork U20 footballer Bryan Hayes’ involvement this year looked in doubt after an injury last month, but his 1-4 went a long way towards securing a mighty win for his side.
The reward is a semi-final clash with Carrigaline.
Castlehaven fall at the same stage as they did 12 months ago when losing to St Finbarr’s.
Nemo started brightly with Hayes and Jack Horgan points, but patience from Castlehaven resulted in Conor Cahalane levelling matters with a two-pointer.
The sides swapped points before Hayes showed his quality with a point and then a splendid orange flag, 0-6 to 0-3 after nine minutes.
Nemo were typical Nemo — tight, hardworking and with no shortage of quality.
They kicked two of the next three points, with Ross Corkery’s effort from an acute angle a standout score.
Conor Cahalane was continuing his strong recent form as he landed another score, but it was their opposition doing the running.
Jack Horgan pointed, a move that could easily have ended in the net.
The city side did get their green flag when they pounced on slack Castlehaven defending, Hayes finishing to the net, 1-9 to 0-5 after 19 minutes.
Nemo hit two of the next three white flags, with Brian Hurley getting Castlehaven’s score, but the Haven were not themselves in the opening 30 minutes.
A two-point free from the forward just mentioned left Castlehaven six points adrift with two minutes to the break, 1-11 to 0-8.
A Corkery free extended Nemo’s advantage, but a bit of class from Cathal Maguire resulted in him clipping over a great effort. They still trailed 1-12 to 0-9 at half-time.
A close-range Brian Hurley free left five points in it on the resumption, but Mark Cronin’s first point restored Nemo’s cushion.
Colin Molloy then thundered forward to point as Robbie O’Dwyer’s charges looked in a strong position after 37 minutes, 1-14 to 0-10.
But three Haven points unanswered tightened the contest, Andrew Whelton doing brilliantly to put over one of them.
Ill-discipline helped Nemo regain their six-point buffer with two quick-fire white flags, 1-16 to 0-13 with 17 minutes remaining.
The teams once again traded white flags, which suited the men from the city.
It was game on, though, with ten minutes remaining when Brian Hurley set up sub Jack Cahalane, who billowed the back of the net, 1-17 to 1-14.
Brian Hurley cut the gap to two after unselfish play from Mark Collins.
Corkery pointed to settle Nemo with an important score before Alan O’Donovan had a goal chance deflected away from danger.
There was a kick in Castlehaven. Brian Hurley and Damien Cahalane left the bare minimum in it heading into added time, 1-18 to 1-17.
Castlehaven had a couple of chances to draw level, but it wasn’t to be for them.
Instead, sub Dara O’Sullivan landed a pair of points to give Nemo a massive win in the heart of West Cork.
B Hayes 1-4 (1 2pt), R Corkery 0-5 (0-2 f), C Molloy 0-3, J Horgan, D O’Sullivan 0-2 each, K O’Donovan, A O’Donovan, M Cronin, C Shalloe 0-1 each.
B Hurley 0-10 (0-3 f, 1 2pt f), C Cahalane 0-3 (1 2pt), J Cahalane 1-0, Damien Cahalane, C Maguire, A Whelton, S Browne 0-1 each.
MA Martin; K O’Donovan, K Histon, M Hill; J Horgan, S Cronin, C Molloy; A O’Donovan, B Murphy; C Shalloe, L Horgan, M Cronin; R Corkery, R Dalton, B Hayes.
C Horgan for R Dalton (h‑t), C Moore for J Horgan (57), D O’Sullivan for L Horgan (59).
Darragh Cahalane; S Walsh, J O’Regan, T O’Mahony; R Maguire, M Collins, J O’Driscoll; C Cahalane, Damien Cahalane; S Browne, C Maguire, A Whelton; M Hurley, B Hurley, M Maguire.
J Cahalane for A Whelton, R Minihane for S Browne (both 47).
David Murnane (Macroom).
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