Premier SFC Final: Jack Cahalane and Michael Hurley star as Castlehaven see off Nemo to retain county title

West Cork side trailed by a point at the break but pushed on in the second half to win by five points

Castlehaven: 0-16 Nemo Rangers: 0-11

The Haven’s big players stepped up when it mattered, similar to 12 months ago. They trailed by a point at the break, and aided by a strong enough wind for the second half, they pushed on.

Similar to last year, Nemo had their opportunities to take a firm grip on proceedings, but their inability to convert their strong spells into scores proved costly. A light drizzle throughout made the ball slippery which only added to the occasion played in front of a small crowd.

It was a lively start with the teams exchanging points inside the first three minutes. Michael Hurley slotted over for Castlehaven before a quick kick out from Nemo netminder Micheál Aodh Martin resulted in Mark Cronin gathering possession and slotting over as they were aided by the wind in the opening half. Cronin was having a crucial say in the early stages as he set up young Bryan Hayes to nudge the city side in front. A fine point.

Despite the holders adding points from Jack Cahalane and Michael Hurley, Nemo would have been pleased with how they were playing and a pair of efforts from Ronan Dalton gave Robbie O’Dwyer’s side a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after 13 minutes. Their aggressive press on the Haven kickouts was a contrast to last year’s decider.

The teams were level though for a fourth time when Seán Browne somehow pointed from a difficult angle. The sides traded points before Brian Hurley got his first score of the final after a relatively quiet opening 23 minutes by his high standards. The evergreen Paul Kerrigan thundered into the contest with a sweet point followed by Dalton and Conor Horgan efforts as the Trabeg-based outfit led 0-8 to 0-6 after 29 minutes.

Seanie Cahalane’s side were being frustrated by a well-organised Nemo defence, but Michael Hurley did get a much-needed score for his team right on the stroke of the break, a fine point. Their first in eight minutes, 0-8 to 0-7 at half-time.

The West Cork side were helped by the wind advantage for the new half, but they found it difficult in the early stages of the second half to break through Nemo’s defence. They did find an opening when Brian Hurley finally got away from Bríain Murphy to level the game.

The Haven were starting to gain an upper hand as they landed three of the next four points with Conor Cahalane’s effort the pick of those scores, 0-11 to 0-9 after 39 minutes. The sides traded efforts before a Cronin free left one in it.

The game was in the melting pot with Nemo using their experience and guile to dig in against the wind, but they lacked punch up front. A Brian Hurley free and an effort from sub Conor O’Driscoll opened up a three-point gap after 52 minutes.

The reigning champions managed the game superbly in the final 10 minutes, doing what Nemo normally do to teams albeit they missed chances to push further ahead as the game ticked into three minutes of added time.

A Jack Cahalane point was the insurance score for the team in blue and white followed by a Micheál Maguire effort as the Haven retain their title.

Scorers for Castlehaven: B Hurley (0-3 f), M Hurley 0-4 each, J Cahalane 0-3, C Cahalane, R Maguire, C O’Driscoll, M Maguire, S Browne 0-1 each.

Nemo Rangers: R Dalton 0-3, P Kerrigan (0-1 f), M Cronin (0-1 f), B Hayes 0-2 each, C Horgan, K Fulignati 0-1 each.

CASTLEHAVEN: Darragh Cahalane; T O’Mahony, J O’Regan, J O’Driscoll; J O’Neill, Damien Cahalane, M Collins (c); A Whelton, R Maguire; R Minihane, C Maguire, J Cahalane; S Browne, B Hurley, M Hurley.

Subs: C Cahalane for Damien Cahalane (h-t, inj), C O’Driscoll for R Minihane (46), M Maguire for S Browne (52), J Walsh for J O’Neill (61), R Whelton for M Hurley (63).

NEMO RANGERS: M Aodh Martin; E Nation, B Murphy, C Molloy; S Cronin, K Fulignati, K O’Donovan; A O’Donovan (c), B Cripps; C Horgan, M Cronin, J Horgan; B Hayes, R Dalton, P Kerrigan.

Subs: R Corkery for B Hayes, L Horgan for J Horgan (both 45), C McCartan for K O’Donovan (54), A Cronin for B Murphy (61).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).