Premier SFC: Mark Cronin and Bryan Hayes steer Nemo past Ballincollig

Nemo Rangers: 1-16 (1-0-16)

Ballincollig: 1-14 (1-1-12)

A strong second half display saw Nemo Rangers overcome the stern challenge of Ballincollig in the McCarthy Insurance Group Premier SFC at Ballygarvan on Friday evening.

Robbie O’Dwyer’s side were pushed to the pin of their collar in this Group 3 Round 1 contest and they also had to use all their experience and quality to get over the line. They trailed by five points at the short whistle, but driven on by the excellent Mark Cronin and Bryan Hayes, the city team prevailed.

They defended heroically too when they had to, goalkeeper Micheál Aodh Martin made two great saves in the first 30 minutes and their defence stood strong when the kitchen sink was thrown at them late on.

Colin Molloy, Mark Hill and Stephen Cronin in particular were brilliant in defence.

Ballincollig were more competitive than the previous two opening-round losses to Nemo Rangers in the last two seasons, but overall, they will be left with mixed emotions. Failure to score for the first 13 minutes of the second half proved costly.

Alan O'Donovan of Nemo Rangers and Peter O'Neill of Ballincollig tussle for the ball. Picture: Jim Coughlan

From the throw-in, Ballincollig meant business. Peter O’Neill set up young Ben O’Connell who pointed after 12 seconds.

Mark Cronin did draw Nemo Rangers level with a free after four minutes. The Collig were playing all the football though, points from Luke Fahy and Seán Kiely pushed their side two clear.

Nemo Rangers then put together four unanswered scores, a pair of Cronin frees and efforts from Kevin O’Donovan and Hayes, 0-5 to 0-3 after 13 minutes.

Ballincollig were well in the game, two goal chances went begging for them in two minutes. Point-blank saves by Martin to deny Darragh O’Mahony, whose effort did spin over, and then Fahy.

Two of the next three white flags were kicked by the Village with O’Connell landing his second, 0-6 each after 20 minutes.

A beauty of a two-point free courtesy of Cian Dorgan was perfectly timed before Podsie O’Mahony’s charges goaled just before the break. A neat team move resulted in David O’Leary setting up Seán O’Neill for an easy finish, 1-8 to 0-6 at half-time.

Nemo Rangers required a positive start to the second half and a Mark Cronin free was just what the doctor ordered, followed by a 45 from netminder Martin.

There was no panic from the Trabeg-based outfit, as Conor Horgan and Hayes scored to leave a point in it after 36 minutes, 1-8 to 0-10. It was level after 43 minutes when Mark Cronin bisected the posts.

Ballincollig’s first score was a minute later through Peter O’Neill, followed quickly by Cian Dorgan and Seán O’Neill efforts: 1-11 to 0-11. A small bit of composure was key.

Barry Cripps and Bryan Hayes of Nemo Rangers in action against Seán O'Neill of Ballincollig. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Arguably against the run of play, Nemo levelled, great vision by Ronan Dalton released Hayes, who finished the ball into the roof of the net. A cracking goal after 48 minutes.

O’Dwyer’s side were turning the screw and a pair of Mark Cronin frees along with a fantastic effort from play by the Cork footballer gave Nemo a 1-14 to 1-11 lead with seven minutes remaining.

The sides traded points before a Cian Dorgan free left two points in it after 57 minutes.

The teams swapped white flags in added time, but Ballincollig ran out of time. Twice they shot for a levelling two-pointer, Peter O'Neill's falling short and at the death Dorgan's blocked by Kieran Histon.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: M Cronin 0-8 (0-6 f), B Hayes 1-3, M A Martin (45), B Murphy, K O’Donovan, R Dalton, C Horgan 0-1 each.

Ballincollig: C Dorgan 0-5 (0-2 f, 1 2pt f), S O’Neill 1-1, S Kiely, B O’Connell, D O’Mahony 0-2 each, L Fahy, P O’Neill 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: MA Martin; K Histon, C Molloy, M Hill; E Nation, S Cronin, C McCartan; A O’Donovan, B Murphy; B Cripps, M Cronin, K O’Donovan; B Hayes, R Dalton, C Horgan.

Subs: L Horgan for C Horgan (49), K Fulignati for A O’Donovan (58, inj).

BALLINCOLLIG: J Gibbons; C Moore, L Jennings, JP Murphy; D Desmond, F Down, L Fahy; S Kiely, P O’Neill; S O’Neill, D O’Leary, B O’Connell; D Dorgan, C Dorgan, D O’Mahony.

Subs: C Dalton for C Moore (23, inj), E Cooke for D O’Leary (45), T O’Connell for D Dorgan (54).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers).

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