51 years ago: Jim O'Sullivan's article in the Cork Examiner after Nemo Rangers drew with St. Finbarrs in the Cork Senior Football semi finalinal

SPIRITED BARRS RALLY REWARDED

ST. FINBARR’S 3-7; NEMO RANGERS 2-10

ST. FINBARR’S could afford the luxury of two missed penalties and still overcome an eight points deficit in the last ten minutes after losing a player, to sensationally draw with holders Nemo Rangers in Saturday’s semi-final of the Cork senior football championship. Nemo dominated the first half, scoring a goal and five points without reply inside the first eight minutes, were still eight points in front at the threequarters stage but even with the advantage of the extra man, they had neither the determination nor the football to match the ’Barrs brilliant finish. It was 2-10 to 1-5 in Nemo’s favour when Eamonn Fitzpatrick was sent off following an incident involving Frank Cogan and Jimmy Barry-Murphy. Nemo had lost their grip on the game, adding a mere two points to their interval total, but there was no indication that they would lose their lead in such dramatic circumstances. Donal Murray hit over a 50th minute point, substitute Tony Goulding sparked their revival with a great goal after Billy Morgan only half-saved a low shot from star player Jimmy Barry-Murphy, and after a 57th minute point from Finny Twomey there was Goulding again finishing a Jerry McCarthy free to the net 55 seconds into injury time. Denis Allen, undoubtedly a big loss to Nemo when forced off at half time with concussion had played a big role at full-forward in Nemo’s devastating display in the first half. But the real difference between the teams was in attack, where Nemo used their possession to great effect, while the Barrs — with Barry-Murphy not very successful in the left corner — were not as direct, and consequently not half as effective. Barry-Murphy hit a 13th minute penalty straight into Morgan’s hands at a vital stage for the Barrs, and this miss was highlighted by Nemo’s second goal from Allen in the 15th minute. However, when the unsteady Nemo defence conceded another penalty in the 24th minute, centre forward Jerry McCarthy scored. Half-time saw Nemo leading by nine points, 2-8 to 1-2. St. Finbarr’s, who also lost full-back Seamus Looney with a shoulder injury at half-time, rearranged their attack for the second half. The really significant move was the switch of Barry-Murphy to full-forward, where he tormented the Nemo defence with his speed and distribution of the ball, but important too was the move of Donal Murray to the left wing, where — in company with many of the Barrs players — he showed a dramatic improvement on his first half display. Gerald McCarthy and substitute Tony Butler began to make an impression in the Barrs defence, Denis Burns was on top against a tiring Seamus Coughlan, and at midfield the brilliant Finny Twomey continued to play a leading role. In the 36th minute Jimmy Barrett, now at full-forward, for Nemo, scored a point when he might have had a goal, and a minute later Jerry McCarthy drove a penalty wide. But the Barrs were in no way upset. They continued to play good football and the departure of Fitzpatrick, difficult to understand in view of Cogan and Barry-Murphy being involved in the original incident, was the signal for an all out effort. Nemo’s defence, where Brian Murphy never settled at centre-back, was caught continually and with the Barrs dominating at midfield the supply of ball to Nemo’s forwards was limited. Nevertheless, there were sufficient opportunities for a comparatively ineffective attack to have added on the scores which would have put the game out of the Barrs reach. As it happened, the Barrs totally upset their opponents in the last ten minutes and their spirited recovery was rewarded with Goulding’s second goal. Best for the Barrs were goalkeeper Bertie O’Brien, Gerald McCarthy, Denis Burns, Finny Twomey, Jerry McCarthy, Jimmy Barry-Murphy, Tony Butler and Tony Goulding. Nemo’s best were John Corcoran, Denis O’Driscoll, Declan Murphy, Denis Allen, Colm Murphy and Noel Morgan. Scorers: Nemo Rangers: D. Allen 1-4 (0-2 frees); N. Morgan 1-0, C. Murphy 0-2, S. Coughlan 0-2, J. Barrett and K. Collins 0-1 each. St. Finbarrs: J. McCarthy 1-4 from frees, T. Goulding 2-0, F. Twomey 0-2, D. Murray 0-1. Nemo Rangers: B. Morgan; J. Corcoran, K. Murphy, F. Cogan (capt.); D. Lenihan, B. Murphy, D. O’Driscoll, D. Murphy, K. Collins; J. Barrett, S. Coughlan, S. Leydon, N. Morgan, D. Allen, C. Murphy. Subs., L. Good for Allen (injured); M. O’Donoghue for Collins. St. Finbarrs: B. O’Brien; Donal O’Grady, S. Looney, E. Desmond, Gerald McCarthy, D. Burns, Des. O’Grady; F. Twomey, B. Wylie; D. Murray, Jerry McCarthy, M. Lynch, Eoin McCarthy, E. Fitzpatrick, J. Barry-Murphy. Subs., T. Butler for Looney (injured); T. Goulding for Lynch; N. Aherne for Desmond. Referee: Jim Dennigan (Fermoy).