While they received a guard of honour onto the pitch for Sunday’s Rochestown Park Hotel Division 1 FL opener, Carbery Rangers were in no mood to repay the generosity to Castlehaven, triumphing by 5-7 to 1-11 at Ardagh.
BY DENIS HURLEY
WHILE they received a guard of honour onto the pitch for Sunday’s Rochestown Park Hotel Division 1 FL opener, Carbery Rangers were in no mood to repay the generosity to Castlehaven, triumphing by 5-7 to 1-11 at Ardagh.
Under the new joint-managership of Shane Crowley and Maurice Moore, the Rosscarbery side got off to a great start as Alan Jennings, Pádraig Hodnett, Mark Hodnett and James Fitzpatrick all netted in the first half, giving them a 4-3 to 0-8 half-time lead.
Chris O’Donovan added a fifth in the second half and, while the Haven did get a goal back through Daniel Hegarty, Ross were never likely to be reeled in. Michael Mennis at midfield, wing-back Kieran Fitzpatrick and corner-forward Seán O’Neill were among Ross’s stars.
While Dylan Hourihane was in good scoring form for O’Donovan Rossa, the goal-scoring power of St Finbarr’s ultimately proved decisive as they won by 3-3 to 0-7 at Rossa Park. Eoin Comyns, Paul Harte (penalty) and Roy Leahy found the net for the Togher side, the latter at the very end to extinguish Skibb’s hopes of taking something from the game.
Ian Coughlan scored a hat-trick for Ballincollig as they beat Béal Áthan Ghaorthaidh by 3-18 to 3-15, with Aindreas Ó Coinceannain finding the net three times for the Gaeltacht side. Gearóid Barry’s late penalty was the vital score as Clonakilty beat Ilen Rovers by 1-10 to 1-9 on Saturday night, Stephen Leonard having earlier netted for Ilen. Mallow beat Nemo Rangers by 0-12 to 2-5 on Friday night.
In Division 2, Newcestown were 1-11 to 1-7 winners against Naomh Abán while Bantry Blues drew away to Fermoy in Division 3. Bandon had four points to spare on Kildorrery in Division 4, and Gabriel Rangers ran in six goals against Carrigaline as they made their Division 5 bow. Also in that section, Clonakilty beat Douglas.
In Division 1 this Sunday, Clonakilty are away to Nemo Rangers at noon while Castlehaven host Ballincollig – the side who eliminated them from last year’s SFC – at 2.30pm. At the same time, Valley Rovers get their campaign underway at home to O’Donovan Rossa.
Fixtures
Friday, February 17th
Division 2 FL: Newcestown v Kiskeam, 7.15pm.
Division 5 FL: Douglas v Carrigaline, 7.30pm.
Saturday, February, 18th
Division 4 FL: Mitchelstown v Na Piarsaigh.
Sunday, February 19th
RPH Division 1 FL: Nemo Rangers v Clonakilty, 12pm; St Finbarr’s v Mallow, 2pm; Castlehaven v Ballincollig, 2.30pm; Valley Rovers v O’Donovan Rossa, 2.30pm.
Division 2 FL: Macroom v Eire Óg; Kanturk v Clyda Rovers; Douglas v Bishopstown; St Michaels v Naomh Abán, 2.30pm.
Division 3 FL: Fermoy v Aghada; Dohenys v St Vincents, 12pm; Rockchapel v Bantry Blues, 12pm; Newmarket v Glanworth.
Division 4 FL: Kinsale v Mayfield, Glenville v Kildorrery, Ballinora v Ballydesmond; Bandon v Castletownbere, 3pm.
Division 5 FL: Clonakilty v Grenagh; Glanmire v Youghal; Millstreet v Gabriel Rangers, 2pm.
Monday, February 20th
Division 3 FL: Nemo Rangers v Aghabullogue.
Division 5 FL: St Finbarrs v Adrigole, 8pm.