With Munster club deadlines fast approaching, the Cork County Board fixture makers will be keeping their fingers crossed in the hope that the weather gods will be kind to them with still a lot of big games to be played.
Their swift action last weekend was commendable as was the efforts of all the clubs to ensure every game scheduled took place and well done to all, and of course the condition of the pitch in Páirc Uí Chaoimh which hosted 4 games on the one day - remarkable!
McCarthy Insurance Group Premier Senior semi-finals
Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
Mallow v Nemo Rangers at 2.30pm
There’s a very unfamiliar look to this game for 2 reasons. I cannot recall the last time these two sides met at this stage. In fact it’s 2004 since Mallow last contested a semi-final, while on the other hand it’s a matter of routine for Nemo to be here.
Mallow’s turnaround has been incredible. This time last year they were in a relegation play-off and here they are, sixty minutes away from a final appearance.
Captain Matty Taylor said while they are delighted to be here, they are determined to go further. “It’s exciting and a huge opportunity and while we know it’s a tough test, we are really looking forward to Sunday.”
The highlight of their group phase was the win over St Finbarr’s and while they lost to Douglas in the final game, they regrouped and impressed in seeing off Muskerry last Sunday.
Nemo Rangers captain Alan O’Donovan reflected on their penalty shoot out win over Clonakilty. “It was dramatic to say the least but we got there in the end. We looked in control but all credit to Clon they kept at it, now it’s time to recover and get ready for another big test.”
Nemo may have lost a few players and had a change of management but Nemo do what Nemo do and get to the semi-final.
Kevin O’Donovan, Ross Corkery, Brian Hayes, Micheál Aodh Martin and as ever Paul Kerrigan deliver when required.
Ryan Harkin, Kevin Sheehan, Sean McDonnell, Mark Tobin and Sam Copps are vital players for Mallow who will need to be at their very best to win this one.
Some might say Mallow are in bonus territory and with pressure off, have a bit of a free hit; they obviously won’t look at it that way, but you have to fancy Nemo to get to yet another final.
Castlehaven v St Finbarr’s at 4.15pm
This is the 5th year in a row they are meeting at this stage and what titanic battles they have produced including penalty shoot outs.
When speaking on Monday to Ian (St Finbarr’s) and Cathal (Castlehaven) Maguire they both more or less said the same thing with huge respect on both sides.
As Cork and Munster champions, the ‘Haven are tipped by many to retain their title and the resolve to do that was clear as they won their group comfortably and took the direct route to this stage.
Injuries have been an issue; Conor Cahalane has yet to play, Damien is doubtful after a minor operation, but knowing that man he will play, while captain Michael Hurley is also carrying a few niggles.
They have coped comfortably with Rory Maguire, Brian Hurley, Jack Cahalane and Mark Collins providing leadership when the need was greatest.
‘Barr’s had a bump in the road when losing to Mallow but their recovery has been exceptional.
Valley Rovers were comfortably seen off, and so were Ballincollig with a late scoring burst.
Steven Sherlock remains their main man in attack, while Brian Hayes, William Buckley, Ethan Twomey, John Wiggington Barrett, Darragh Newman and Ciaran Doolan are big players for them, who also have been disrupted with injuries at times.
There is very little between these excellent sides and like previous encounters. it will go to the wire and maybe, a penalty shoot out.
Extremely hard to call, but I have a sneaky suspicion the ‘Barr’s are going to end the champion’s reign.
Therese O'Callaghan speaks to the Nemo Rovers stalwart ahead of the last-four showdown on Leeside.
Nemo Rangers’ Alan O’Donovan Nemo Rangers speaks to the Irish Examiner at the Cork Senior A Hurling final launch in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Video Chani Anderson
Cork SFC semi-final: Nemo Rangers 2-11 Mallow 1-5
Author: John Coleman
In a world gone mad, Nemo Rangers remain as consistent as ever. On Sunday in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh they qualified for the final of the Cork PSFC for the fifth time in six seasons as they had too much class, guile and experience for a Mallow side for whom Mattie Taylor stood out.
There was a feeling that last year’s final loss to Castlehaven might have signalled a period of transition for them, but Nemo don’t do transition, they just continuously keep to their traditions. They may have had more star-studded teams in their history, but their current manifestation is all about balance.
Their mean defence, driven by Briain Murphy and Colin Molloy, allowed Mallow only two Seán Hayes points in the second half. Their midfield pairing of Alan O’Donovan and Barry Cripps seemed to be everywhere. Up front Mark Cronin hit Mallow for 1-3, Ronan Dalton worked tirelessly to link the play from centre-forward. And then there’s Paul Kerrigan. He kicked 1-5 and it was the goal that put any hint of doubt about the outcome to bed.
Nemo led by 0-8 to 1-3 at the break, and there were six minutes of the second half gone when Kerrigan lined up a free under the North Stand only for it to come back off the post. Mallow picked up the break, but Bryan Hayes forced the turnover before playing in Cronin who in turn passed across the square for Kerrigan to palm home. With the goal went Mallow’s chances, and though they kept plugging away, the sense of inevitability was palpable.
Molloy and Murphy then drove forward to set Cronin up for his second of the day and though Hayes responded for Mallow, a Kerrigan free left Nemo 1-10 to 1-4 to the good with fifteen to go. That they only scored 1-1 from there will give Robbie O’Dwyer plenty to work on for the coming fortnight, as will the nine shots at goal that went astray. But they will have another day.
Cronin kicked his third point to put seven between them with ten to go, and from there, not much happened. Hayes kicked over his second, and as classy as it was it never felt like it was going to be of the rallying variety. Then, in the final minute, Cronin applied the cherry to the top of the cake as he cracked home Nemo’s second goal of the afternoon, and indeed the championship. Job done, again.
Whether Mallow would be burdened or liberated by the underdog tag very much depended on how they started. Initially, it looked like the former as Nemo started with purpose. Briain Murphy drove forward from corner back to open the scoring and from the resultant kickout Conor Horgan set up Mark Cronin for the game’s second score.
A fine point from Kevin Sheehan then settled Mallow’s nerves and they then had a sight of goal when good play from Mattie Taylor and Mark Kelleher allowed Jack Dillon to take aim but when he fired, it rattled back off the crossbar. Moments later Paul Kerrigan rattled the Mallow bar with a floated effort before the goal that was threatened finally arrived.
Sam Copps played the ball into Seán McDonnell, and he jinked his way through the Nemo defence before cracking the ball past Micheál A Martin. The goal didn’t signal a Mallow surge, however, as Nemo just stuck to the process. Kerrigan levelled the game for the first time before Ronan Dalton traded points with McDonnell. Two Kerrigan scores then sandwiched another effort from Dalton and Nemo were 0-8 to 1-2 in front.
Mallow needed a score; Mark Tobin provided it, and they trailed by two at the short whistle. From there any hopes they had of causing an upset evaporated when Kerrigan found the net.
Scorers for Nemo: P Kerrigan (1-5, 0-3 frees), M Cronin (1-3), R Dalton (0-2), B Murphy (0-1)
Scorers for Mallow: S McDonnell (1-1, 0-1 free), S Hayes (0-2), K Sheehan and M Tobin (0-1 each)
NEMO RANGERS: M A Martin; E Mation, B Murphy, C Molloy; S Cronin, K Fulignati, K O’Donovan; A O’Donovan (c), B Cripps; C Horgan, M Cronion, J Horgan; R Corkery, R Dalton, P Kerrigan.
Subs: B Hayes for Corkery (h/t), C McCartan for C Horgan (58), A Cronin for Nation (60)
MALLOW: K Doyle; B Myers, P Lyons, E Barry; P Hennessy, M Taylor, S Copps; S Merritt, S O’Callaghan; JM Tobin, R Harkin, S McDonnell; K Sheehan, J Dillon, M Kelleher.
Subs: S Hayes for Kelleher (h/t), J Loughrey for Sheehan (40), E Stanton for O’Callaghan (50), L Walsh for Barry (55).
Referee: Conor Lane (Banteer/Lyre).
McCARTHY INSURANCE PREMIER SFC SEMI-FINAL: Nemo Rangers 2-11 Mallow 1-5
Author: Diarmuid Sheehan
Mallow’s bid for a place in the McCarthy Insurance Group PSFC Final came up well short in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday afternoon as the aristocrats of Cork football, Nemo Rangers, just strangled the Avondhu side into submission.
You don’t get to have the pedigree that Nemo have without knowing how to make the most of your opportunities and, while the City side were not perfect, they were in the main clinical with and without the ball. Mallow, by contrast, didn’t make the most of their limited opportunities.
Paul Kerrigan was the game’s main threat and top scorer with Ronan Dalton and Mark Cronin also constant threats to Mallow’s much heralded rear-guard.
For the vanquished side, Matty Taylor at the back, Seán McDonnell at wing-forward and Shane Merritt in the middle all did well enough, Sam Copps, Kevin Sheehan and half-time sub Seán Hayes also had impacts on the game. Jack Dillon was another that put in a credible shift throughout without ever getting the rewards his efforts deserved.
The sides seemed intent to feel each other out in the opening exchanges, barely an effort towards either post in the opening five minutes, but like buses, when the chances came they came together.
Nemo were first on the board with a pair of points in the fifth and sixth minutes, Mark Cronin and Brian Murphy on the board to settle the nerves of a side that were contesting their 19th semi-final since 1998 (16 wins in that stretch).
Mallow broke their duck with a classy score from Sheehan – nice linkup play from Merritt creating the opportunity.
A free from Paul Kerrigan had Nemo back in charge, but the City side received a wakeup call moments later when Dillon nearly broke the crossbar with a powerful drive.
Nemo, now settled, went down the pitch and looked to raise the game’s first green flag only for Kerrigan’s looped effort bounce from the Mallow bar. This game had come to life as both sides looked to open up a bit more.
The game’s opening major did finally come, McDonnell cut in from the left, escaped the challenge of a couple of defenders to squeeze the ball to the Nemo net. Mallow surprisingly in front by a point, Nemo looking like a side that received a slap when they least expected it.
But credit to Robbie Dwyer’s side, they responded to the setback as quality sides do with five of the next seven points, a Kerrigan brace as well as a pair of minors from Ronan Dalton lifting them back on top as Mallow began to struggle.
Nemo went in at the break leading by two, 0-8 to 1-3, but this one far from done at the midpoint. Mallow, however, would need to be a little more forthright in their approach as that seemed to be the only place they got joy from.
Mallow started the second half brightly with a couple of half chances and plenty possession, but with nothing to show on the scoreboard for the first 13 minutes of the third quarter this one was always going to go the way of Rangers.
In the meantime, Dalton managed to pinch a ball from Taylor on 36 minutes and when the ball made its way to Kerrigan there was only going to be one outcome. Mallow not on the ropes and nowhere to hide.
That goal, really did put the seal on this win, with the second Nemo goal on 61 minutes nothing more than a very rusty nail in an already well-sealed Mallow coffin.
Mallow would plug away late on and a brace of really good points from substitute Seán Hayes kept them going in the right direction, but Nemo are too well-schooled in how to close games like this one out and credit to the city side they had Mallow chasing their shadows for the last 10 minutes. This one well to bed before the final whistle was blown.
Mallow players received a rash of cards in the closing minutes as they tried to get the ball from Nemo players that were content to keep possession – Ryan Harkin got two and had to leave, but it mattered not a jot, the much better side took the spoils.
Mallow’s adventure ends on the worst stage of all, but their main goal now has to be to build on this season and see what the future brings. Plenty time to reflect from now till the start of the 2025 campaign, but no question that there was significant progress made in 2024.
NEMO RANGERS: M Aodh Martin; E Nation, C Molloy, B Murphy 0-1; K O’Donovan, K Fulignati, S Cronin; A O’Donovan, B Cripps; C Horgan, R Dalton 0-2, J Horgan; R Corkery, M Cronin 1-3, P Kerrigan 1-5 (3f) Subs: B Hayes for R Corkery (ht), C McCarthy for C Horgan (58), A Cronin for E Nation (63)
MALLOW: K Doyle; B Myers, P Lyons, E Barry; P Hennessy, M Taylor, S Copps; S Merritt, S O’Callaghan; M Tobin 0-1, R Harkin, S McDonnell 1-1 (1f); K Sheehan 0-1, J Dillon, M Kelleher Subs: S Hayes 0-2 for M Kelleher (ht), J Loughrey for K Sheehan (40), E Stanton for S O’Callaghan (49), L Walsh for E Barry (54)
REFEREE: Conor Lane (Banteer/Lyre)