Carrigaline boss Michael Meaney: The lads took a lot of criticism, that they were soft, but we’ve proved our worth

Carrigdhoun side won the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League last evening

Carrigaline 0-10 Nemo Rangers 0-8

A very first McCarthy Insurance Group Division 1 Football League title for Carrigaline after taking down Nemo Rangers last evening.

A large crowd turned up to Shanbally for the final despite the inclement weather on an evening when it was more like winter than summer. It wasn’t a classic match by any stretch but Carrigaline had a more balanced team which was enough to secure a 0-10 to 0-8 win over their illustrious opposition.

There weren't massive celebrations from the Carrigaline camp as they know their main objective will be to return to the Premier SFC after losing their place last season. It was a tough winter for everyone involved with Carrigaline, a campaign that started by winning the Division 2 football crown.

Once the final whistle blew last evening, the winning management came together to celebrate before Meaney made his way over to talk to the press. He was visibly emotional and lost for words as the rain came lashing down. This success was sweet for himself and Carrigaline.

“First time in Division 1, this is marvellous,” he says.

“And to beat the likes of Nemo and the manner that we did. I think we were very disciplined, very well worked and very well drilled with Kevin [O’Sullivan, coach]. The lads took a lot of criticism, that they were soft at the start of the year, but we’ve proved our worth.

“But, look, we park this tonight and we’ll move on. We said during the week whether we won or lost, the most important thing is to get ready for Ballingeary.”

Carrigaline have exceeded all expectations in this season's league especially on the back of last year's demotion from the Premier SFC. There has been no hangover. They did deserve the win over Nemo but they did have to ride their luck with Seán Mellett’s penalty save from Paul Kerrigan a big moment after just three minutes.

“My wife said to me today, if you were told that you’d be in a Division 1 league final, you’d be looking at yourself,” Meaney said.

“But, we believe in the players, and the results showed we weren’t too far away and we got the break today. We had a good league campaign and the lads brought that forward. Nemo beat us by five points in the league in May, the goal was the difference then.

“The important thing is to park this tonight, we will mark it. We need to come back down straight away. Ballingeary is going to be a different ball game compared to this. We’ve a tough group [Ballingeary, Cill na Martra and Kiskeam], three good football teams. There will be nothing easy.”

The manager was full of praise for man-of-the-match Éanna Desmond who scored five points and David Griffin who was introduced in the second half on his return from injury.

“Éanna is going well all year. He proved it again today. He is a solid young fella. He is dedicated off and on the field. You could meet him in the gym any day of the week. He showed strength, it means an awful lot in football. But as well it’s how he retained the ball.

“David got injured against Nemo in the league game in May. David being a dual player, it is important we nurture him along and be sensible about it. He is a good lad, he is after coming back from a cruciate last year as well.” Meaney concluded.