PIFC: Aghabullogue in strong position after Luke Casey goal sees off Nemo

Aghabullogue 2-9 Nemo Rangers 0-12

A superb Luke Casey goal midway through the second half paved the way for Aghabullogue to defeat Nemo Rangers in a competitive McCarthy Insurance Premier Intermediate Football Championship clash at Cloughduv.

Aghabullogue, who had 14 wides over the hour, were brought to the wire by a resilient Nemo side. Casey was the go-to man for Aghabullogue and even though he could have had another few scores, he finished with a 1-3 tally.

Right from the throw-in Aghabullogue looked lively but had three wides in the opening two minutes. They caught the Nemo defence napping when a ball to Padraig O’Sullivan saw the Aghabullogue half-forward guide the ball past the keeper.

A point followed from Evan O’Sullivan. Nemo looked in trouble but, in fairness, they settled. Three consecutive points brought the minimum between the teams in the 17th minute.

Casey should have added a second Aghabullogue goal but his shot was superbly saved by the Nemo keeper Joe Lyons. As the half matured, Nemo began winning more possession and with Conor O’Donovan showing his experience, they were soon back on parity.

Nemo Rangers goalkeeper Joe Lyons pulls off an impressive save against Aghabullogue. Picture: Chani Anderson

Indeed, Nemo had the final say of the half when the very impressive Jack Coogan kicked a classy point that saw the Trabeg outfit go in at the break commanding a slender one-point lead 0-7 to 1-3.

On the restart, O’Donovan increased Nemo’s lead with an opportunist point but Casey responded immediately for their opponents. Scoring was rare, and it was puzzling on a perfect pitch and day for football that neither side managed to kick a two-pointer.

Nemo were ahead but struggling to gain possession at centre-field. When Evan O’Sullivan showed great resilience to kick a stunning point midway through the half, it tied the game.

Just when Nemo were gaining a little momentum, with Coogan and O'Donovan their leading lights, they were caught with a sucker-punch goal in the 46th minute.

Inevitably, it was through danger man Casey. He caught a high ball 30 yards from goal before finding pace and accuracy to shoot an unstoppable shot to the roof of the net.

The closing minutes saw Nemo drive forward but they failed to find the all-important goal.

Aghabullogue captain John Corkery breaks forward from Nemo Rangers' Oisín White. Picture: Chani Anderson

By virtue of this win, Aghabullogue remain unbeaten with a final group game against Aghada to come, who came out on top against Bantry.

Nemo will visit Rosscarbery for a game against Bantry where a defeat for the West Cork outfit will see them firmly in a relegation battle.

Scorers for Aghabullogue: L Casey 1-3, E O’Sullivan 0-3, P O’Sullivan 1-0, M Bradley, C O’Sullivan, B O’Sullivan 0-1 each.

Nemo Rangers: J Coogan 0-6, C O’Donovan 0-3, C Yealland, C Shalloe, R Hogan 0-1 each.

AGHABULLOGUE: J Buckley; C Smith, D Merrick, T Long; P Ring, S Tarrant, B O’Sullivan; C Gillespie, A Murphy; A O’Sullivan, J Corkery, P O’Sullivan; M Bradley, E O’Sullivan, L Casey.

Sub: C O’Sullivan for P O’Sullivan (38).

NEMO: J Lyons; D Quinn, C Coughlan, T O’Brien; N O’Shea, C Shalloe, C O’Neill; E Kelly, L Healy; S Burke, C Yealand, O White; A Cronin, C O’Donovan, J Coogan.

Subs: B O’Driscoll for C Yealland (46), R Hogan for L Healy (51).

Referee: Andrew Whelton (Clonakilty).

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