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Carrigaline are ready for a difficult assignment




Writes JJ Hurley

 

Carrigaline’s footballers are all set for their McCarthy Insurance Group Senior A FC Semi final clash with Kanturk in Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday at 5.45pm.

 

It’s all a far cry from last year’s depths of despair as they were relegated from the senior premier grade after losing to Mallow in Blarney.

 

For team manager, Michael Meaney, there was a determination in the club to get back on the bike, after what had seen Carrig lose its seat at the county’s table by small margins.

 

‘Being truthful, it was only small margins last year that we were beaten by and that level of small margins are big things,’ Micheal said.

 

‘It was always easy to keep them going as the belief was always there, and they are always self-motivated and when we got back together in December, we decided to go for it.’

 

 

That determination was very evident when the club lifted the McCarthy Group Insurance Division One Title, as they over came Nemo in Shanbally back in July.

 

The focus on continuing to chase their goal was self-evident as they topped their group and had two points to spare over Bishopstown in the ¼ final.  

 

Now all   eyes are on the semi-final for the Carrigaline side and one Meaney says his team is looking forward to.

 

‘A  semi-final of a Senior A County is a great occasion, we are really looking forward to it and have prepared well,’ he said.

 

Facing a tough Kanturk outfit, Meaney said they will have to raise their game if they are to make their first county final since 2015.

 

In addition to a strong panel, the addition of Brian O’ Driscoll to its ranks has been  an asset to the Carrigdhoun side, having returned from duty with the Rebels over the summer months.

 

The news that he’s recovered from an injury that kept him out of the win over the city club in the ¼ final will be a welcome relief for Carrig’s supporters.

 

‘Brian brought a wealth of experience to the side, how he carries himself is very professional and very dedicated and the way he carries himself off the pitch is fantastic too’ Meaney said.  

 

Don’t be fooled this Carrig side is no one-trick pony, as Sean Mallet, Enna Desmond, Niall Coakley and Co are well able to be match winners too.

 

Of course, with the Carrig hurlers already in the final of the Co Op Superstore Premier Intermediate Final, there is an added bonus for the footballers.

 

Certainly, for many other clubs plying their trade in the dual ranks, Carrig are a shining light that success can come in unison.

 

‘At the end of the day we are a dual club, and in fairness the communication between myself and Eddie was excellent as the most important thing for us was the players, said Michael.

 

‘There is no point in one team pulling one way and the other another way.

 

‘ All we want to do is to achieve the same thing and I think it has served us well this year,’ he said. 








 Carrig hoping to shoot their way past Kanturk on Saturday in the semi-final for McCarthy Group Insurance SAFC Semi Final. (credit Bernard Laverty)

 

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