Nemo Rangers are back on top, title number 24 for the Trabeg side. A thoroughly deserved title number 24.
From start to finish at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, Rangers had the edge over the Barrs’ forwards and completely controlled the middle third. Alan O’Donovan and Bríain Murphy were phenomenal in midfield, Jack Horgan immense under breaking ball.
Horgan was one of only three defenders that started their opening round defeat to Nemo Rangers and again in the final against St Finbarr’s.
Kieran Histon held Steven Sherlock scoreless, he missed the opener. Colin Molloy also absent against the Carbery club, has been excellent since returning. He gave an exhibition against Castlehaven and was so solid in both the semi-final and final.
And then there’s Kevin O’Donovan. The star of the show in that semi-final victory, he was a sub in that Newcestown defeat.
How very different Nemo Rangers’ season could have been without that trio.
Once again, this Cork Premier Senior Football Championship followed its pre-season narrative. Nemo Rangers, St Finbarr’s and Castlehaven. The big three remain untouched as the big three.
This was the fifth season in a row that involved two of said big three in the decider. Nemo Rangers’ involvement in each of those five deciders ensured that there has been no Castlehaven and St Finbarr’s final since 1989. Though they’ve had their fair share of battles across the quarter-final and semi-final stage.
The outcome on Sunday also meant that the Barrs’ wait for back-to-back titles goes on. Not since winning against Castlehaven in 1979 and UCC in 1980 have they achieved consecutive titles.
And of course, after losing out to Glen Rovers a week earlier, this defeat only compounds the Togher club’s anguish.
Ross Corkery ended the championship campaign as Nemo’s top-scorer with 0-28. But that figure only accounts for 23% of Rangers’ total scoring.
They have had several forwards come good at different points across the season, and they’ve reaped the reward of having so many capable shooters. They end the championship having registered 16 different scorers.
Only Ballincollig have more with 17, but they used seven players more than Nemo.
The Barrs had 12 different scorers, and were more reliant on Sherlock.
And Nemo Rangers prevented Sherlock from scoring once on Sunday.