McCarthy Insurance Group Football Leagues roundup: Castletownbere gain promotion from Division 3

CASTLETOWNBERE have been promoted from Division 3 of the McCarthy Insurance Group Football League on what was the final weekend of league matches.

The Beara club defeated Macroom on Friday evening at the Castle Grounds in what was a nervy and tense encounter with so much on the line for both. Castletownbere knew what they needed to do after Mallow lost in their final league match a few days earlier. Castletownbere required a win or a draw in order to join Kanturk in elevation to the second tier of the league pyramid for 2025.

Ian Murphy’s side got the job done in the end winning 0-15 to 1-11. Fintan Fenner and Gary Murphy contributed nine points to the winners tally while experienced campaigner Andrew O’Sullivan impressed in midfield and also kicked a point.

That defeat for Macroom left them worried for over 24 hours as it left them third from bottom and a point ahead of Aghada who were away to Kilshannig. Macroom were left having regrets after the Imokilly outfit put in a massive performance to beat a strong Kilshannig side on Sunday morning, 1-9 to 1-8 as they pulled off the great escape. Macroom go down with Nemo Rangers’ second team.

In Division 4, Naomh Abán secured promotion on Friday evening after a 0-9 apiece home draw against Bantry Blues. The Ballyvourney based outfit only required a point in the final league game to move up and that’s what they did. Joining them will be fellow Muskerry side Iveleary who saw off Boherbue and Glanmire and Aghabullogue for that final promotion place. At the other end, Glanworth and Ilen Rovers were already relegated.

In Division 5, Buttevant, who were already up, will be joined by Adrigole in a new league next season after the Beara side saw off Kinsale on Saturday. Going the other way in Division 5 will be Na Piarsaigh. The other spot will be sorted in the next two weeks. 

The promotion spots in Division 6 were already filled by Gabriel Rangers and Ballinora heading into the final round of matches and also were the relegation places by St Michael’s reserves and St Nick’s.

Despite a late rally by Castlemagner in Division 7, Canovee and Cullen will be moving up with St Finbarr’s second team and St James’ suffering relegation to their respective divisional league.

Carrigaline will meet Nemo Rangers in the Division 1 league final. Michael Meaney’s side were already secured in the decider prior to the match against Carbery Rangers on Sunday as a result of Newcestown conceding to Cill na Martra on Thursday afternoon.

At the other end of the table, Carbery Rangers will join Ballincollig in Division 2 next year. Speaking of Division 2, Clonakilty and St Michael’s will contest the league final as was known a number of weeks ago and the same goes for Clyda Rovers and Kiskeam who knew their fate at the other end of the table some time ago.

On what was a dark for the Cork footballers on Sunday, Cathail O’Mahony who came on against Tyrone nine days ago, wasn’t on the 26 against Louth yesterday, and kicked 2-3 for Mitchelstown in their 2-13 to 0-7 victory over Glenville in Division 5 on Friday.

MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESULTS (Divisions 1 to 7) 

Division 1: Carrigaline 4-13 Carbery Rangers 4-13; Nemo Rangers 1-16 Douglas 0-6.

Division 2: Kiskeam 3-12 Clyda Rovers 0-14; Knocknagree 0-12 Fermoy 1-9.

Division 3: Rockchapel 0-6 Bishopstown 1-9; Macroom 1-11 Castletownbere 0-15; Kilshannig 1-8 Aghada 1-9.

Division 4: Naomh Abán 0-9 Bantry Blues 0-9; Aghabullogue 3-14 St Vincent’s 0-6; Glanmire 3-15 Bandon 2-16; Glanworth 1-12 Ilen Rovers 2-13; Iveleary 0-18 Boherbue 0-17.

Division 5: Mitchelstown 2-13 Glenville 0-7; Kinsale 0-6 Adrigole 4-9.

Division 6: Cobh 0-10 St Nick’s 0-4; Ballinora 1-19 Kildorrery 1-11; Mayfield 2-7 Aghinagh 5-20.

Division 7: Ballyhooly 1-7 Cullen 1-21; St Finbarr’s 0-7 St James’ 0-7; Urhan 1-12 Canovee 3-12.