Premier SFC: Darragh Hayes scores late leveller as Carbery ...

Clonakilty 1-9

Carbery Rangers 0-12

Darragh Hayes’s late equaliser capped a six-point fightback as Carbery Rangers kept alive their hopes of qualification for the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC knockout stages with a draw against Clonakilty at Dunmanway on Sunday.

Clon had led by 0-7 to 0-3 at half-time after a strong finish to the first half and that had only been eroded slightly as Ross got two of the first three points of the second half. A game without a goal chance finally presented one as Clon midfielder Ben Ridgeway drove through the middle and, though Paul Shanahan saved from him, referee Patrick O’Driscoll blew for a foul just before the shot – penalty.

Darragh Gough slotted his left-footed shot beyond Shanahan for the biggest lead of the game up to then, 1-8 to 0-5, seemingly settling the matter. Carbery Rangers responded well, though, and two John O’Rourke frees and a point for Brian Hodnett cancelled out the effect of the goal.

Peadar O’Rourke cut the lead to two and though Clon sub Fergal Murphy replied, they were not able to put the game to bed. Half-time Hayes pointed on 58 before O’Rourke landed a huge effort in injury time and the Rosscarbery club kept their composure as Brian Shanahan linked with Jack Kevane and Peadar O’Rourke to allow Hayes the chance to level. A even later Clon attack might have yielded a free – the award of a free out not met with universal approval – but it finished matters even.

Following opening-day losses for both sides, this game meant elimination for the losers – but both still have a chance to progress – Clon face St Michael’s and Ross are up against Castlehaven, whose qualification as group winners is assured now.

It also maintains Ross’ unbeaten record against Clon – their first year at senior level had ended with a heavy defeat to their neighbours, but since then they had held the whip-hand in the rivalry – wins in 2012, 2014 and 2017 and 2018 before last year’s draw between the sides.

That game had finished 0-6 each but the signs were there from an early stage that such an output would be exceeded, even if a shootout was never likely to develop.

While Ross dictated the tempo in the early stages, they couldn’t establish a lead of any great substance. Points from goalkeeper Shanahan and then John O’Rourke had them 0-3 to 0-2 in front after ten minutes, but would not score again until the second half.

After Gough levelled from a free, Chris Kenneally won the kickout and Griffin Wharton fed Seán White for his second and a lead that would not be lost.

A Gough point from a mark was followed by Conor Daly’s second point, well set up by Thomas Clancy, and the Cork panellist was involved in the move that sent them in with the four-point lead – the ball went through the hands of White, Kenneally and Daly before Gough got his third.

While such an advantage might not have seemed like a huge luxury given the strength of the breeze, Clon’s style of play meant that it was not a huge hindrance to be facing into the wind.

Kenneally extended the lead to five points on the restart and, while John O’Rourke ended a 27-minite Ross drought with a free and Jerry O’Riordan followed that with a point to cut the lead to three, Ridgeway’s rampaging run yielded the penalty and a six-point lead thanks to Gough.

It was not enough, however, as Ross came back in impressive fashion.

Scorers for Clonakilty: D Gough 1-3 (0-1f), S White, C Daly 0-2 each, C Kenneally, F Murphy 0-1 each.

Carbery Rangers: J O’Rourke 0-5 (0-3f), D Hayes, B Hodnett 0-2 each, Jerry O’Riordan, P O’Rourke, P Shanahan (0-1f) 0-1 each.

CLONAKILTY: M White; D Peet, T Clancy, B White; D Lowney, M Shanley, S White; B Ridgeway, G Wharton; C Kenneally, S McEvoy, A Cullinane; D Gough, C Daly, R Mannix.

Subs: N Barrett for Cullinane, F Murphy for Mannix (51), B White for Wharton (59).

CARBERY RANGERS: P Shanahan; K Eady, James O’Riordan, D O’Dwyer; B Hodnett, J Kevane, T O’Rourke; Jerry O’Riordan, A Jennings; C McCarthy, J Hodnett, J O’Rourke; P Hurley, M Hodnett, P Hodnett.

Subs: D Hayes for Jennings (half-time, injured), B Shanahan for M Hodnett (36), J Fitzpatrick for T O’Rourke (45), P O’Rourke for P Hodnett (54).

Referee: P O’Driscoll (Bride Rovers).