Clonakilty turn on the style as Carbery Rangers face relegation showdown
There was no mistaking the occasion in Ballinacarriga on Sunday….neighbours Clonakilty and Carbery Rangers, both with two defeats to their name, squaring up with pride and survival on the line. The crowd came in numbers for a west Cork derby, though the rain ensured many were heading for the gates long before the final whistle confirmed Clonakilty’s supremacy.
Clon led from the off, Conor Daly clipping an early two-pointer before the Ross men finally got off the mark. Daly had already threatened more, drawing a superb full-length save from Paul Shanahan in the Rangers’ goal. For a spell, Rangers were competitive: Brian Hodnett was prominent around the middle, and when John O’Rourke pointed, they were back within two at 0-5 to 0-3.
A chance to level followed soon after. With Clon goalkeeper Mark White pushing high on kickouts, space opened and Mark Hodnett was sent through, only for his low shot to creep wide. Timmy Cullinane did narrow the gap moments later, but Clon finished the half in control, Darragh Gough hitting two fine scores with Ross Mannix heavily involved. The scoreboard read 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval.
The second half was barely two minutes old when the game broke open. Mannix and Gough combined to create the chance, and Liam O’Donovan lashed high to the net. Rangers responded with a John O’Rourke free after Mark Hodnett’s hard work, but the Rosscarbery side wouldn’t raise another flag until the dying moments.
By then, Clon had stretched out of sight. Seán White, driving from wing-back, was the tempo-setter; Ridgeway controlled midfield; and Mark White turned provider and scorer, nailing a 45 and a long-range free into the wind. Points from Daly, Lowney, Ridgeway, McEvoy and Mannix added to the tally as the red-and-green pulled further clear.
Rangers had one late chance, Kelan Scannell fisting narrowly wide, but it was long past the point of salvation. Clonakilty had closed the door and can look forward with relief, while Carbery Rangers must prepare themselves for the relegation play-off against Valley Rovers.
For Clon, relief. For Ross, the hard road continues.
Scorers – Clonakilty: C Daly (1 two-pointer, 0-1f) 0-5; D Gough 0-5 (0-1f); M White 0-3 (1 two-pointer, 0-1 ’45); L O’Donovan 1-0; D Lowney, B Ridgeway, S McEvoy, R Mannix 0-1 each.
Carbery Rangers: J O’Rourke 0-2 (0-1f); P Hodnett, B Hodnett, J O’Brien, T Cullinane 0-1 each.
Clonakilty: M White; D Lowney, D Darragh, D Peet; J O’Mahony, T Clancy, S White; B Ridgeway, D Ó Sé; L O’Donovan, C Daly, C Kenneally; R Mannix, D Gough, S McEvoy.
Subs: D Kenneally for O’Donovan (44, inj); L Griffin for Gough (60); B White for Mannix (62).
Carbery Rangers: P Shanahan; C Daly, T O’Rourke, J O’Riordan; J Hodnett, J O’Riordan, S Linehan; J O’Brien, J Kevane; B Hodnett, J O’Rourke, C Twomey; M Hodnett, P O’Rourke, T Cullinane.
Subs: C McCarthy for J O’Riordan (13, inj); P Óg Hill for Cullinane (39); K Scannell for O’Brien (41); P Hodnett for J Hodnett (44); B Shanahan for T O’Rourke (53).
