50 years ago today: Nemo Rangers beat St. Finbarrs in the Cork Senior Football Championship semi-final replay

THE BETTER TEAM LOST IN FOOTBALL REPLAY

Nemo Rangers 2-9; St. Finbarrs 0-13

50 years ago today, on the 14th of September 1975, Nemo beat their close rivals the Barrs in the Senior Football Championship semi-final replay. Nemo went on to beat Dohenys in the final on a score line of 4-12 to 0-7. Here is Jim O'Sullivan's article from the Cork Examiner following the semi final match. The photo is from the parade before the final.

The better team lost in this exciting Cork senior football semi-final replay at the Mardyke yesterday. St. Finbarrs led all the way until the 53rd minute, when Denis Allen scored a superb equalising goal for Nemo Rangers, and the champions recovered for a dramatic win with late points from Noel Morgan and Jimmy Barrett.

Nemo never managed to reproduce the type of football which almost crushed the Barrs, and in fact for most of last week’s draw. Apart from a Denis Allen Murphy goal in the 11th minute, of the first half, they were nearly always struggling against a Barrs side which drew inspiration from the brilliance of Jimmy Barry-Murphy at full-forward.

St. Finbarrs took control early in the game, dominating midfield and showing much more penetration in attack. Nemo had Brian Murphy at full-back with Kieran Murphy at centre-half, but the change did nothing to limit the effectiveness of Barry-Murphy. He posed a constant threat with his great distribution, and, with good support, the Barrs attack looked quite formidable.

PENALTY MISS
Star midfielder Finny Twomey, was a 9th minute casualty with a shoulder injury, but the Barrs were in no way upset by his loss. They showed great determination when coming back after Murphy’s goal to control the game and a penalty save by Bernie O’Brien from Seamus Coughlan in the 20th minute gave them further encouragement. However, inaccuracy lost them several scores as Nemo came back with points from Coughlan and Allen to trail by two points at the interval (Nemo 1-0 to 1-4).

St. Finbarrs continued to impress in the second half and within ten minutes of the restart they had opened up a five points lead. Significantly, they were not to score again but it was not until late in the game that they looked in danger of losing.

Nemo looked stronger at midfield after the substitution of Der Cogan, and the move of Kieran Murphy and defensive partner him aided the recovery bid a great deal. Seamus Coughlan pointed in the 44th and 50th minutes but Nemo looked disorganised and it wasn’t until Allen scored his goal seven minutes from the end that they moved with purpose and conviction.

PERFECT PASS
Frank Cogan made the goal with a clearance from the left corner of the defence, and the ball was handled by Der Cogan and Coughlan before Allen took possession. He ran on to a perfect pass on the run to finish from close range.

Nemo went into front with a point from Noel Morgan and Jimmy Barrett followed with another and Jimmy Barrett added a point as the champions came strongly and in two late attacks. Morgan had a goaled as Eoin McCarthy had a shot blocked and Jerry McCarthy was inches wide with a low shot.

Scorers:

Nemo Rangers — D. Allen 1-2, S. Coughlan 0-4, C. Murphy 1-0, J. Barrett 0-2, N. Morgan 0-1.

St. Finbarrs — J. McCarthy 0-5 (0-3 frees), J. Barry-Murphy 0-3, D. Murray 0-2, F. Twomey, T. Goulding and E. McCarthy 0-1 each.

Nemo Rangers: B. Morgan; J. Corcoran, B. Murphy, F. Cogan (capt.), D. Leenhan, K. Murphy, D. O’Driscoll; D. Murphy, K. Collins; J. Barrett, S. Coughlan, S. Leydon; N. Morgan, D. Allen, C. Murphy. Subs, D. Cogan for D. Murphy (second half); J. Weldon for Corcoran (injured 50th minute).

St. Finbarrs: B. O’Brien; G. McCarthy, S. Looney, Donal O’Grady; T. Butler, D. Burns, Des O’Grady; F. Twomey, H. Kennedy; E. McCarthy, J. McCarthy, M. Lynch; D. Murray, J. Barry-Murphy, T. Goulding. Sub., R. Kenny for Twomey (injured 10th minute).

Referee: Jimmy Dennihan (Kerry).