Carrigaline’s footballers set for final showdown

(JJ Hurley)

Carrigaline’s footballers face a tough assignment in Shanbally on Friday night next as they line out to Nemo Rangers in the final of the McCarthy Insurance Football League decider  at 7.30pm.

The sides met earlier in the campaign when the city side had a 1-13 victory 0-11 in what was an outstanding game of football from two competitive teams.

Finishing the league with five victories, two draws and two losses, Carrigaline will be happy with their form as they face into Friday’s final.

Notable victories along the path to the League decider came in the form of a 2-13 to 1-9 win over St Finbarrs at Togher as well as a home victory to Ballincollig.

Incidentally, their two draws came at the hands of two West Cork neighbours: Castlehaven and Carbery Rangers.

The Carbery game was one that Carrig might well like to forget, as they looked to be home and hosed as they led 4-8 to 0-8 early in the second half, only to end the game 4-13 to 4-13.

Friday night’s shoot out may well favour Nemo, but anything can happen in a two-horse race and the pressure to lift the silverware will rest on the Trabeg men’s shoulders.

For Carrigaline it is another step in their redemption following their fall from the top tier of Cork football last year.

Whatever happens at Shanbally on Friday night, the Carrig lad’s eyes will be firmly focused on the championship, where they find themselves in a group with Ballingeary, Kiskeam and Cill na Martra.