DRINAGH RANGERS 1

CLONAKILTY SOCCER CLUB 2

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

ADVANTAGE Clonakilty Soccer Club in the West Cork League Premier Division title race? It seems so after their top-of-the-table clash with Drinagh Rangers saw the reigning champions win 2–1 and take outright ownership of top spot.

Joe Edmead emerged as Clon’s hero, hitting a double to fire his team three points clear of Drinagh. As Clon targets a third Premier title in a row, Drinagh are determined to wrestle the crown back, so this Canon Crowley Park battle was always going to be a close one.

‘Three points, that’s all it is,’ Clonakilty manager John Leahy mused afterwards. ‘I won’t hide away from the fact we were diabolical in the second half. We didn’t play our system because Drinagh put us under so much pressure. You’d be happy with the three points because it was such a tough match.’

‘I wouldn’t consider this result a setback at all,’ Drinagh manager Robert O’Regan added. ‘If you look at where we started the season to where we are now, we are a work in progress and exactly where we want to be. There are still a lot of hard games to come. We are in good stead at the moment.’

An early statement of Drinagh intent involved Robbie McQueen crossing for Barry O’Driscoll (H), who missed the target by inches. A cracking opening spell saw both teams produce plenty of positive play but no goals until the 12th minute. Tom McQueen slid a perfectly weighted pass into Barry O’Driscoll (H)’s path and the veteran striker instantly found the bottom corner.

Drinagh’s intensity kept the home team on the front foot. JJ Collins, Padraig Cronin, and Padraic Hegarty gave nothing away, and Rangers came within a marvellous Adam O’Regan save of moving 2–0 ahead.

An effective offside trap also frustrated Clonakilty until the 23rd minute. The visitors finally unlocked the Rangers defense as Reuben Henry released Joe Edmead to score. A reinvigorated Clonakilty grabbed the lead just two minutes later. The same players were involved – Henry supplying Edmead with the ammunition to fire Clonakilty 2–1 in front.

The Drinagh Rangers team that played Clonakilty Soccer Club.

Alan Murphy and Rob Downey gained a foothold in midfield and helped Clonakilty enjoy a dominant spell. However, the visitors lost Murphy to injury prior to the half-time whistle, bringing a welcome chance to draw breath.

Clonakilty forced a succession of corners on the resumption, but Rangers’ defence stood firm. Cillian Fitzpatrick and Barry O’Driscoll (H) saw little sight of goal during a scrappy third quarter. The same was true of Joe Edmead and Chris Collins for Clon.

Odhran Bancroft and Robbie McQueen brought the best out of their opposing goalkeepers, but the score remained 2–1 with 15 minutes remaining. The onus was on Drinagh to attack and they obliged, dominating the final quarter. But Clonakilty’s defence – with Ethan Draper and Mark Irwin imperious – withstood the pressure.

The best chance of a Drinagh equaliser fell to Barry O’Driscoll (H). Deep into injury time, he had a clear view of the Clonakilty goal, only to agonisingly drag his shot wide.

Each club has four remaining league games, including another blockbuster fixture against one another in Darrara. For now, it is advantage Clonakilty, but Drinagh and Togher’s close proximity means this title race is far from over.

‘We warned everyone that there are four league games left,’ John Leahy added. ‘Drinagh have to come to Darrara. They could beat us, why couldn’t they? We have three other tough games against Lyre Rovers, Togher Celtic, and Castletown Celtic. I’m not happy with our second-half performance – we have a lot of work to do.’

Drinagh Rangers: Jack Payne Murphy, Daniel McCarthy, JJ Collins, Donal O’Donovan, Steven Crowley, Padraig Cronin, Robbie McQueen (captain), Tom McQueen, Cillian Fitzpatrick, Padraic Hegarty, Barry (H) O’Driscoll.

Subs: Eoin Hurley, Michael Hennigan, Mark Grace, Harry Carey, Paddy McCarthy.

Clonakilty Soccer Club: Adam O’Regan, Rob Downey, James Calnan, Odhran Bancroft, Joe Edmead, Chris Collins, James O’Donovan, Ethan Draper, Mark Irwin, Reuben Henry (captain), Alan Murphy.

Subs: Tomás Batterberry, Cal O’Mahony, Charlie McShane, John Deegan, Darren Nolan, Eoin Hartnett, Ben McCarthy-Shields.

Referee: Conor McCarthy.