51 years ago: Jim O'Sullivan's article in the Cork Examiner after Nemo Rangers defeat Carbery in the Cork Senior Football final

Carbery waste chances, Nemo take them and the title

NEMO RANGERS 2-8; CARBERY 1-8

SUPERIOR teamwork and the better use of the ball in attack won Nemo Rangers their second Cork County senior football title in impressive fashion at the U.C.C. Grounds yesterday. Carbery, with much more of the play over the hour, were handicapped by the blatant inaccuracy of their forwards in the first half and a penalty miss four minutes into the second half, and yet, against a lesser goalkeeper than Billy Morgan, they might have atoned for their defeat in last year’s final by U.C.C.

Morgan saved two certain goals and prevented a possible third with an intervention at a vital stage of the second half, but his inspiring play was influenced a great deal by the steadiness of the Nemo defence under pressure all through. In the final analysis, the most decisive factor in the game was the facility of the Nemo forwards to exploit their possession with clever tactics and good finishing.

Carbery more or less dominated the first half, but still turned around by a point (0-5 to 0-6). Then, with a rearranged team, which featured an outstanding display from the defence, they won back their grip on the game only to be plagued again by their weakness in attack.

The goal difference at the end was not really a fair reflection of Nemo’s victory. They had maintained such a lead from the 47th minute, following Aidan Barrett’s goal, that when Kieran Collis stretched it with their second goal, and the game was over as a contest when Donal Hunt converted their second penalty a minute from the end.

Although Nemo had the opening score of the game from Jimmy Barrett after 90 seconds, the fact that they did not score again until the 20th minute indicated the superiority of the division side during that period. Backed by the wind, after Christy Collins had won two tosses, Carbery controlled midfield with increasing support from their half-back line, but had little success in attack.

SHOOTING FAULTY

Bobbie Evans and Robert Wilmott frequently joined in attacking movements but generally passes went astray and shooting was haphazard and as a consequence Nemo were allowed to settle. Significantly, both Barron and Hunt got few chances, principally because they were not brought into the game.

Brian Murphy did a very good job in policing Barron and Eddie Brophy gave Hunt little scope, while left half-forward Tony Murphy had the ability to beat Der Cogan, he was off target with his shooting. However, he was unfortunate to see Morgan save a certain goal in the 12th minute.

Carbery had kicked most of their nine first half wides before Hunt scored two good points in the 18th and 22nd minutes (the second a great score from a sideline ball about ten yards from the right corner). Their weak position was then highlighted when Nemo scored three points in a row through Leydon and Evans, the third a 27th minute point from Jimmy Barrett; it was all against the run of play.

LEYDON’S CONTRIBUTION

The scores came about mainly as a result of the improved play of Kieran Collis at midfield and the more effective forward play of Seamus Leydon and Billy Cogan. Leydon was the only Nemo forward not to score, but with his high workrate and constructive action, he achieved more than any of the forwards, and his contribution was immense in the overall efficiency of the side.

Barrett set up both Michael O’Donoghue and himself for second half scores, but returned to full-forward in the last quarter when centre-forward Liam Good for Nemo’s first goal. For Carbery, Barron hit his only point in the 5th minute of the half from a free, while Tony Murphy was on target with two points before Barron hit the equaliser in the 12th minute.

With a re-arranged team and Collins now at left half-forward, Carbery won back their grip on the game and played great football against the wind. Tony Murphy pointed two good frees in the 36th and 38th minutes, and three minutes later Morgan intercepted a pass from corner-forward John O’Riordan to Ted Holland, when a goal looked imminent.

Christy Collins moved to partner Evans at midfield, won a lot of the ball and used it well, and by the 43rd minute Carbery had come to within a point of Nemo after Barron scored with an overhead kick. Substitute Jimmy Gabriel was wide from a good scoring position before Nemo recovered to go ahead from a few good attacks in five net minutes. Clever play from Good made the opening for Leydon who sent the ball to Coughlan and Carbery were in luck in the 48th minute when goalkeeper Ronnie O’Donovan failed to hold a high ball from Coughlan and Leydon nipped in ahead of full-back Donal Krehilly to score.

Good almost had another goal when he went through the centre and lost possession slightly at the edge of the square. It went to the ball off the ground only to see O’Donovan dive and put it out for a 50.

Carbery came back with good determination, but the Nemo forward line, though lively in goal full length to save from Gabriel, then Hunt took a pass from Evans before forcing his way through the centre and having a shot blocked down.

ANOTHER PENALTY

Within a minute remaining, Barron was fouled yards from the line and Hunt drove the penalty high into the left corner of the net. In the remaining play, Carbery fought clearly and upfield once and twice, but before the move could develop, Leydon, now in defense, broke up, dispossessed Evans and sealed it with a final clearance.

While in the first half Nemo were best served by Eddie Brophy, Brian Murphy, Kieran Collis, Liam Good and Jimmy Barrett, Frank Cogan had his best on the backer in the first half. Dermot Kelleher, after an uncertain start, was excellent in the role of replacement full-back and others to impress were Ned Crowley, Brian Murphy, Kevin Kehilly (outstanding at centre-back for the losers). Bobbie Evans, the best of the attack were Hunt and Barron, and to a lesser extent Holland.

Morgan had a hand in both his first county final escape early, well, and he was helped by the fine defensive work in front of him.

The attendance was 10,749 (£899.90).

Nemo Rangers:
B. Morgan; J. Good (0-1), K. Morgan; J. D. Barr; F. Cogan; L. Coughlan; D. Cogan; M. Cogan (0-2); S. Coughlan; D. Cogan; C. Murphy (0-1); S. Leydon; D. Barron (0-1); D. Hunt (1-2, 2 frees); L. Good (1-1);
Sub: M. O’Donoghue for Cogan (54 mins).

Carbery:
R. O’Donovan; B. Evans; D. Kelleher; N. Crowley; K. Kehilly; F. Cogan; B. Murphy; C. Collins; R. Wilmott; T. Murphy (0-2 frees); J. Holland; B. Collins (0-1); B. Barron (0-2, 1 free); D. Hunt (1-2, 2 frees); J. Gabriel.