Nemo Rangers 0-11 Ballincollig 0-6
Nemo Rangers were too good in the end for Ballincollig in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC at Ballymaw on Friday evening.
This was a disappointing encounter in truth as the city record a third consecutive championship victory over the Collig in three seasons. The Muskerry side have now lost six first-round matches on the trot and despite being down a number of players, Podsie O’Mahony’s side will be disappointed with how this one panned out.
It was all square at the break, but Nemo kicked on after the interval led on by Colin Molloy in defence and captain Alan O’Donovan in the middle of the park.
In what was a very low-key start with both sides very conservative as was expected, Nemo had chances to hit the front in the early stages but very disciplined Ballincollig defending kept them at bay.
The city side did have the ball in the back of the net after seven minutes through Oisín Whyte but it was ruled out due to the latter being adjudged to have been in the square when Alan O’Donovan passed the ball.
The sizeable crowd witnessed the first score after nine minutes when Ross Corkery clipped over a neat point for Nemo. In what was only Ballincollig’s second scoring chance, they drew parity after 12 minutes when Peter O’Neill set up Cian Dorgan for a white flag.
In what was certainly not a riveting contest, with the wind having no major bearing, Kevin O’Donovan nudged the Trabeg-based side in front following patient build up play.
An inspirational run from Luke Fahy resulted in a great point from the Ballincollig captain, 0-2 each with nine minutes to the break. The sides exchanged points as the level of intensity went up a notch. Both teams had chances to head into the break ahead but nothing came to fruition, 0-3 each at half-time.
Nemo Rangers made a fantastic start to the new half as they tacked on a pair of frees through Paul Kerrigan and Mark Cronin.
The game came alive. Seán O’Neill did kick a point for the Village, but Nemo, who were now very aggressive on the Collig kick-outs, landed points from Corkery and Kevin Fulignati, 0-7 to 0-4 after 34 minutes.
A beauty of a point from Stephen Cronin extended Nemo’s advantage as they were now in control. With 14 minutes to go, Cian Dorgan sent over a sublime 45 from the sideline as the Muskerry side just about kept in touch.
The scores dried up and with seven minutes remaining, it was still a one score game. A Mark Cronin free pushed Robbie O’Dwyer’s side lead out to four points.
A Darragh O’Mahony effort cut the gap down to three points after 56 minutes before a Kerrigan point calmed the Nemo nerves with two minutes remaining.
In typical Nemo fashion, the city outfit used all their experience and guile in added on time to see off the Ballincollig challenge. A Ciarán McCartan white flag was the insurance score for a Nemo side who used no subs as they prevailed by five points.
Nemo face Éire Óg in the next group game while Ballincollig meet Newcestown.
Scorers for Nemo Rangers: M Cronin 0-3 (0-2 f), P Kerrigan (0-1 f), R Corkery 0-2 each, K O’Donovan, C McCartan, K Fulignati, S Cronin 0-1 each.
Ballincollig: C Dorgan (45), S O’Neill 0-2 each, L Fahy, D O’Mahony 0-1 each.
NEMO RANGERS: M Aodh Martin; K O’Donovan, C Molloy, E Nation; C McCartan, K Fulignati, S Cronin; A O’Donovan (c), B Cripps; L Horgan, R Dalton, O Whyte; R Corkery, M Cronin, P Kerrigan.
BALLINCOLLIG: J Gibbons; N Galvin, L Jennings, C Moore; L Fahy (c), H Ahearne, JP Murphy; P O’Neill, D Desmond; C Dalton, D O’Mahony, E Cooke; S O’Neill, C Dorgan, D Dorgan.
Subs: S Murphy for N Galvin (40, inj), T O’Connell for E Cooke (45), B Dore for D Dorgan (56), E Cooke for D O’Mahony (62, inj).
Referee: James Bermingham (Bride Rovers).