Clonakilty SC 2

Drinagh Rangers 3

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

DRINAGH Rangers are back on top after a dramatic, title-clinching victory over Clonakilty Soccer Club in a winner-takes-all showdown in Darrara on Sunday.

For the third successive season, the destination of the PremierHispecCars.com West Cork League Premier Division title hinged on the final fixture of the campaign.

Nothing less than a victory would seal Rangers’ first Premier crown since 2023, while Clonakilty, top of the table on Sunday morning, needed only to avoid defeat to secure a third title in a row.

What followed was a terrific advert for the West Cork League – five goals, relentless intensity and a tension-filled finale before Rangers emerged 3-2 winners to capture the region’s top prize for the 16th time.

It was far from straightforward and Drinagh’s nerves jangled towards the end. Yet, the Canon Crowley Park club – on the same weekend their women’s team also became league champions – fully deserved their triumph.

Drinagh Rangers' Daniel McCarthy battling with Clonakilty Soccer Club's Eoin Murphy. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

‘You can tell I have a load more grey hairs since that match started!’ Drinagh Rangers manager Robert O’Regan told The Southern Star.

‘Fair play to Clonakilty, they are a very good team. We knew it would be a battle today and it turned into a battle and a half.

‘I’ve won a good few league titles but this is the sweetest one because Drinagh haven’t won the league for a few years. It’s nice to bring it back home again.

‘Our women’s team won a cracking game and their league last night.

‘We have a big four weeks ahead of us now and cup finals against Ardfield (Beamish Cup), Togher Celtic (Premier Division Cup) and Clonakilty (Parkway Hotel/Maybury’s Coaches Cup).

‘We will enjoy this one first though.’

Drinagh Rangers' Morgan Sloggett and Clonakilty Soccer Club's Odhran Bancroft battling for the ball. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

A large crowd enhanced an already big-match feel at kick-off, and unsurprisingly there was a brisk tempo to the opening exchanges.

Joe Edmead forced Paddy McCarthy into a terrific stop after five minutes as Clonakilty pressed high and tested Drinagh’s defence before the visitors began to settle. Denzil Fernandes and Robbie McQueen’s influence grew, while Barry O’Driscoll fired a first-time effort wide.

Clon’s best moments came whenever Rob Downey or Chris Collins were in possession, but an even contest remained scoreless at the quarter-hour mark.

Rangers enjoyed a dominant spell and, by continually denying their opponents time and space, opened the scoring after 23 minutes when Robbie McQueen’s excellent free-kick delivery was headed home by Barry O’Driscoll.

Drinagh Rangers' Robbie McQueen celebrates with supporters after scoring. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

The same player was denied a second by a point-blank Iain O’Driscoll save shortly after as Drinagh looked to press home their advantage.

Unable to settle into their usual quick-passing rhythm, Clonakilty made little impact in the final third, with Drinagh’s work-rate ensuring that.

The visitors finished the half strongly, with Iain O’Driscoll saving from Barry O’Driscoll and Cillian Fitzpatrick. At the break, 1-0 was a fair reflection of 45 frenetic minutes.

The hosts peppered Drinagh’s penalty area with a succession of frees and corners at the start of the second half.

Clonakilty came within a goal-line clearance of equalising after 51 minutes when the ball fell kindly to Rob Downey inside the six-yard box, but Steven Crowley was on hand to block.

The defending champions didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser, with a penalty awarded four minutes later. Odhran Bancroft was brought down and Chris Collins converted the spot-kick to make it 1-1.

Drinagh Rangers celebrate. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Rangers responded positively, with Morgan Sloggett rattling the crossbar, while Joe Edmead was denied by a Daniel McCarthy block as chances continued to materialise.

The contest remained delicately poised when Drinagh were awarded a penalty for handball after 68 minutes. Tom McQueen was coolness personified, slotting home to restore his side’s lead.

2-1 down, the hosts had no option but to attack. Staying compact in defence, Rangers struck on the counter, Robbie McQueen volleying home their third goal 12 minutes from time.

The title decider was far from over, however, as intense Clonakilty pressure resulted in Chris Collins netting his second a minute from the end.

Over six minutes of injury-time had both sets of supporters on edge, as an equaliser would have seen the hosts crowned champions. Paddy McCarthy produced a superb save right at the death, and Drinagh Rangers held on for a famous 3-2 victory and the Premier Division title.

Our Star: For sheer quality on the ball and workrate, Drinagh’s Tom McQueen was the best player on view.

Clonakilty Soccer Club: Iain O’Driscoll, Reuben Henry (captain), Rob Downey, Charlie McShane, Eoin Murphy, Joe Edmead, Chris Collins, James O’Donovan, Ethan Draper, Mark Irwin, Odhran Bancroft.

Subs: Cal O’Mahony, Jack O’Crowley, Eoin Hartnett, James Horan, Tomás Batterberry, James Calnan.

Drinagh Rangers: Paddy McCarthy, Daniel McCarthy, JJ Collins, Donal O’Donovan, Steven Crowley, Denzil Fernandes, Robbie McQueen (captain), Tom McQueen, Cillian Fitzpatrick, Padraic Hegarty, Barry O’Driscoll.

Subs: Jack Payne Murphy, Eoin Hurley, Michael Hennigan, Padraig Cronin, Harry Carey, Sean Calnan, Morgan Sloggett.

Referee: Colin Clancy.