22-06-2025
St Finbarr's secure final berth, Clon and Nemo in contention
St Finbarr's qualified for the final of Division 1 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Cork Football League without kicking a ball after they received a walkover from Newcestown in the final round.
They must wait another week, however, to find out who will join them. Nemo Rangers are in second place at the moment after they beat St Michael's by 0-16 to 2-7 on Thursday night.
Should Clonakilty avoid defeat against Castlehaven next Sunday, they will play the Barrs in the final.
Conor Horgan led the way for Nemo with 0-8 while eight other players kicked 0-1 each, captain Steven Cronin and Kieran Histon amongst them.
Liam O'Sullivan shot 1-1 for Michael's while Eric Hegarty slotted home a penalty but they needed a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation.
The competition for who would go down with Michael's was complicated by Douglas giving a walkover to Carrigaline. This brought them level on points with Éire Óg with Carrig enjoying the head-to-head edge over the Ovens men.
Thus, Éire Óg needed a positive result against Cill na Martra on Sunday morning to stay up. And they got it, as the sides played put a 0-14 to 1-11 draw, relegating Carrigaline in the process. The Ovens side led going into injury time, only for Damien Ó hUrdail to kick a late point to go with his earlier goal to earn the Gaeltacht men a share of the spoils.
Brian Hurley kicked 0-3 for Éire Óg, Chris Kelly scored 0-2, while Darragh Clifford also kicked a point.
In Division 2, already promoted Carbery Rangers and Knocknagree played out a dress rehearsal for the final with a late John Hodnett point earning the West Cork men a 0-16 to 1-12 win. Hodnett kicked 0-3 overall,
Daragh Hayes did the same while John O'Rourke clipped 0-2. Anthony O'Connor kicked 0-8 for Knocknagree, with Denis O'Connor contributing 1-3.
Elsewhere, two goals from Diarmuid MacTomáis and a third from Seán Ó Luasa helped Béal Átha 'n Ghaorthaidh to a 3-11 to 0-9 win over Castletownbere.
Ciarán McCarthy inspired Valley Rovers to a 0-9 to 1-5 win over Dohenys while already relegated Kanturk beat Ballincollig by 1-12 to 1-5.
Finally, 1-5 from Kevin Davis helped O'Donovan Rossa to a 1-11 to 1-10 win over the other relegated side, Fermoy.
In Division 3, Uibh Laoire needed to beat Rockchapel in their final game to qualify for the final against already-promoted Clyda Rovers. In the end, they got it with three late points from Ian Jones, Kevin Manning and Cathal Vaughan helping them to a 0-15 to 0-13 win.
Aghada and Kiskeam were relegated from Division 3 and they will be replaced by Aghabullogue and Bandon.
Two goals from Luke Casey and a third from Aaron O'Sullivan secured Agahabullogue's berth in the Division 4 final as they defeated already relegated St Vincent's by 3-16 to 0-13. Goals from Mark Sugrue, Peter Calnan and Ben Donegan helped Bandon to a 3-10 to 0-8 win over Glanmire.
Vincent's were followed through the trapdoor by Bantry Blues.
In Division 5, Gabriel Rangers defeated Kilmurry by 1-17 to 1-6 thus ensuring the sides would meet again in the final while Glenville and Glanworth were demoted.
St Nicks secured their promotion from Division 6 by hitting a magnificent seven goals against Aghinagh on Friday.
Danny Morris kicked 1-3 for Nicks, with Gavin Marshall bagging a brace of goals as they finished in second place behind Canovee.
City sides St Michael's and Mayfield were relegated from Division 6, while West Cork sides Argideen Rangers and Kilmacabea were promoted from Division 7.
