ROBBIE McQueen and Barry O’Driscoll were the driving forces as Drinagh Rangers dethroned Clonakilty Soccer Club to reclaim the West Cork League Premier Division title.

In a dramatic 3-2 victory in Darrara, goals from O’Driscoll and McQueen, either side of a Tom McQueen penalty, sealed Rangers’ first league crown in three seasons and ended Clonakilty’s reign as champions.

There may be an age gap between them, but McQueen and O’Driscoll delivered equally influential performances in one of the biggest games of the campaign.

Captain Robbie McQueen led by example, despite conceding a penalty, and struck what proved to be the title-clinching goal.

‘Yeah, that was very hard and I thought they had us there at the end of injury-time,’ McQueen admitted to The Southern Star.

‘Everyone knew it was going to be very tough in Darrara. We haven’t won here for a few years, so we knew it was going to be difficult.

‘We have been in good form lately though, and I think it is that self-belief we have within our squad that won it for us in the end.

‘Today was all about working hard and our work-rate was excellent all the way through. It had to be. We said before the game started that work-rate is what would win it for us.

‘Clonakilty and Drinagh are two evenly balanced teams. I just think we got the rub of the green there today.’

Drinagh Rangers captain Robbie McQueen raises the cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

The emergence of a new, youthful core has been central to Drinagh’s resurgence. McQueen, along with brother Tom, Padraic Hegarty, Paddy McCarthy and Daniel McCarthy, were key figures in Sunday’s title triumph.

‘A lot of new fellas have come into the team this year,’ McQueen added.

‘We are building a new squad. This group has been together over the last two seasons, but there is a bit of bite about us.

‘The younger players have a real drive and want to be successful. Now we have won the league and everyone is delighted with that.

‘There are also three cup finals in a row to look forward to. We want to do well in all three – our season is far from over.

‘We might not think about those games for another while though as we want to celebrate this Premier Division title.’

Barry O’Driscoll, a long-time servant and one of the league’s most decorated forwards, once again showed his value on the big stage. The veteran striker opened the scoring and linked play superbly, helping Rangers turn pressure into decisive moments.

‘It has been really good to be part of this team,’ O’Driscoll said.

‘Rob (O’Regan) has built a new team over the last two years. A few joined up from the Drinagh B team as well, and it has been a very enjoyable year so far.

‘We had a couple of tough seasons. Two years without winning the league is a long time for a club like Drinagh.

‘At 3-1 up, we shouldn’t have conceded that second goal and made things hard for ourselves.

‘Clonakilty are a very good team. We have been battling them for the last couple of years, but it is very hard to keep winning all the time. We know that ourselves.

‘The young lads that have come through, this is their team now. The likes of Rob and Tom McQueen are driving this team on from midfield.

‘There is only myself and JJ (Collins) left from the older lads – we are only hanging on,’ he added with a laugh.

‘We have put ourselves in a good position now, so hopefully we can push on for the next couple of cup finals.’