Division 1 FL: Nemo Rangers narrowly hold off St Michael's to keep final hopes alive

Nemo Rangers 0-16 (0-0-16)

St Michael’s 2-7 (2-1-5)

If ever there was a case of a team having no luck, it’s surely St Michael’s. Another McCarthy Insurance Football League Division 1 fixture, another agonisingly narrow defeat. This time at the hands of Nemo Rangers in Trabeg on Thursday evening.

The result officially consigns St Michael’s to Division 2 for 2026. For Nemo, it’s the win they needed to stay in the hunt for a league final place. Over to you, Clonakilty.

This one will sting for Michael’s. They only lost by three, but first-half injuries to sharpshooter Luke O’Herlihy and captain Dylan Corkery left an already depleted side reeling. And yet, they still led at the break – even if only by a point.

Things got worse after the restart. Adam Hennessy was forced off after 47 minutes, and by then Nemo had opened up a 0-13 to 1-6 lead. The game looked to be slipping away.

But Michael’s weren’t finished.

Keith Hegarty, who was exceptional from start to finish, passed to James Ryan. He set up Liam O’Sullivan. He converted. Conor Horgan was handed a tap-over free as St Michael’s were punished for dissent.

Nemo Rangers' Barry Cripps is held up by St Michael's Keith Hegarty, during their SFL clash at Trabeg. Picture: David Keane

Still, Michael’s kept coming. Sub Michael Carroll drove forward and was hauled down. The whistle blew. Penalty.

Eric Hegarty stepped up and coolly found the bottom corner, sending Donagh O’Leary the wrong way. One-point game. Four minutes left.

But Nemo tightened up. Michael’s couldn’t break through, and Conor O’Donovan tacked on a late point in the 64th minute to put three between them again. Hegarty had one last go from distance, but it tailed wide.

Michael’s gave everything. They stayed with Nemo for long stretches. Rangers weren’t at their best. Far from it. They finished with nine wides and three short.

But as they so often do, they wore their opponents down. Patience. Persistence. Precision. The Trabeg trademark.

Kevin Fulignati got Nemo off the mark in the sixth minute after three early wides, but Michael’s struck first blood with a goal. Hegarty threading a superb ball to O’Sullivan, who squeezed home from close range.

Nemo Rangers' Conor Horgan wins possession as St Michael's Eoin Hickey closes in, during their SFL clash at Trabeg. Picture: David Keane

O’Herlihy added a free five minutes later, but had to depart immediately after with the injury sustained in winning that placed shot. Then came back-to-back frees for Nemo after Michael’s were penalised for having too many behind – and then ahead – of the halfway line. Horgan punished both.

Nemo added four more without reply before Michael’s rallied before the break, Eric Hegarty landing a fine effort and Keith Hegarty notching a two-pointer after good work by Hennessy.

But six white flags in the third quarter gave Nemo a commanding lead, and though Michael’s rallied once more, the comeback fell just short.

Scorers for Nemo Rangers: C Horgan 0-8 (0-5 f), K Fulignati, D O’Leary (f), K Histon, S Burke, B O’Neill, S Cronin, B Murphy, C O’Donovan 0-1 each.

Scorers for St Michael’s: E Hegarty (1-0 pen) L O’Sullivan 1-1 each, K Hegarty 0-2 (tp) L O’Herlihy (f), E Buckley, A Hennessy 0-1 each.

NEMO RANGERS: D O’Leary; E Nation, M Hill, C Moore; K Histon, S Cronin (c), K Fulignati; B Murphy, B Cripps; A Cronin, C Kiely, B O’Neill; R Hogan, C Horgan, C O’Donovan.

Subs: S Burke for Kiely (15 inj), A McGowen for Cronin (37), J Coogan for Hogan (41).

ST MICHAEL’S: M O’Connell; L Carroll, A O’Callaghan, D Corkery (c); K Hegarty, E Hegarty, L Fogarty; E Hickey, B Cain; D O’Sullivan, A Hennessy, L O’Sullivan; D Cremin, L O’Herlihy, E Buckley.

Subs: J Ryan for O’Herlihy (12 inj), T Murphy for Corkery (18 inj), M Carroll for Hennessy (47 inj), O McCarthy for Fogarty (52), A Nolan for Buckley (53).

Referee: James Regan (Lough Rovers)

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