FL Division 1: Clonakilty show enough to get win over Carrigaline
Clonakilty's Ross Mannix is tackled by Carrgaline's Nathan O'Keeffe during the McCarthy Insurance Group FL Division 1 game on Sunday. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
Clonakilty’s destiny in the McCarthy Insurance Group FL Division 1 remains in their own hands, but not without a scare from Carrigaline at Ahamilla on Sunday morning,
While the nearby Clonakilty Show may have drawn a bigger crowd, those present here got excitement that may not have been expected early on. In the end, the hosts won by five points and victory in their last match against Castlehaven will send them through to the final. However, it took a late goal and a point from sub James Campbell to make sure of victory against a Carrigaline side that had battled back well from what had been a nine-point deficit with four minutes left in the first half.
Points from Niall Coakley and Ian Sheeran made a small dent in that coming up to half-time but Carrig brought their momentum into the second half and frees from Coakley and Éanna Desmond were followed by a goal from Ryan Delaney, who touched home a clever delivery from former Shamrocks man Seán Andrews.
The visitors had got on top at midfield thorough Desmond and Patrick Mellett but, while Clon were not at the rampaging levels of the first half, they were still able to keep their opponents at arm’s length for the remainder of the third quarter.
When Carrigaline corner-back Kieran McCarthy got forward for a point to leave them 1-12 to 1-9 behind, Clon replied as Luke Griffin ended a good move involving Thomas Clancy and Dara Ó Sé and then Griffin’s fellow former Kilbrittain player Conor Ustianowski put them five clear.
After Coakley and Conor Daly exchanged points, Carrigaline gave themselves a chance as McCarthy produced a good low finish to the net. Though Ó Sé landed a good free in reply, Callum Barrett responded for Carrig and then they were awarded a free due to three-up violation by Clon.
With time left, Coakley took the one-point option – the orange flag remained unused throughout – and they looked to have conjured a winning goal when Mellett won the kickout and a fine move saw Desmond’s ball palmed home by Delaney, but he was adjudged to have been in the small rectangle.
In the next play, Clon moved the ball well and, when McCarthy got a block on a Ross Mannix shot, it fell for Griffin, who unselfishly squared to Campbell – just on – to finish to the net. The sub then added the insurance point, leaving Clon in a fine position and Carrigaline with just one more game left to avoid relegation.
Such a close denouement didn’t seem at all likely as Clon owned much of the first half. They had the first four points before the impressive Mannix linked well with Seán McEvoy before finding the net.
While Delaney did open the Carrigaline , the scores continued to come for Clon, with Ó Sé’s third point putting them 1-9 to 0-3 in front on 26. They would go on to take the two points, but it was far from a procession.
D Ó Sé 0-5 (0-2 f), J Campbell, R Mannix 1-1 each, C Daly 0-3 (0-1 f), S McEvoy, L Grifin 0-2 each, D Lowney, C Ustianowski, B Ridgeway 0-1 each.
N Coakley 0-5 (0-2 f), K McCarthy, R Delaney 1-1 each, C Kearney, É Desmond (0-1 f), I Sheeran, P Mellett, C Barrett 0-1 each.
J O’Brien; D O’Sullivan, D Darragh, L O’Donovan; B White, B Ridgeway, C Kenneally; T Clancy, D Ó Sé; D Lowney, S McEvoy, R Mannix; L Griffin, C Daly, C Ustianowski.
J O’Mahony for O’Sullivan (33, injured), M Scally for Ridgeway (41), J Campbell for Daly (59, injured).
K Daly; J Kelly, I Sheeran, K McCarthy; C Barrett, N O’Keeffe, E Ryle; P Mellett, É Desmond; J McGrath, N Coakley, S Andrews; E Landers, R Delaney, C Kearney.
T Foley for McGrath (half-time), P Laverty for Kelly (58).
N Hayes (Carbery Rangers).
App?
