Dripsey’s 2017 journey ends at hands of Argideen Rangers

Argideen Rangers 0-16 Dripsey 0-12

A FOUR point loss for Dripsey at the hands of Argideen Rangers has ended their championship dreams for 2017 and thrust them into a relegation battle they could really have done without.

The mid Cork side went into this game with plenty to be confident about however a slow start and a failure to use the wind advantage in the first half is ultimately what cost them the game and plunged them into an area of competition most would prefer to shy away from.

Without overstating the elements it would be fair to say that the strong wind in Cloughduv on Saturday was an old fashioned three or four pointer and with Dripsey leading by just one at the interval they were always going to be under pressure when Argideen Rangers turned with the advantage on their side.

Finbarr Butler and Craig O’Brien shinned early for the victors with Padraig and Michael O’Riordan slotting over for the vanquished side. Diarmuid O’Riordan. Eoghan Maher and Jack Caret all raised whites for Dripsey however Michael O’Callaghan took over for Argideen with a huge 65 against the wind, the first of three successes from that range.

O’Callaghan and Bill Fleming cut the gap before the break to just one (0-8 to 0-7), which meant the leaders had it all to do after the break. Michael O’Riordan had the sides level soon after the restart with another brace from O’Callaghan opening up the first significant gap for Argideen.

Things didn’t get much better for Dripsey as they were being out gunned by double scores over the next 10 minutes with O’Callaghan proving to be a major thorn in the Dripsey men’s chances.

Dripsey never really looked like getting back on level terms as the side’s traded scores to the finish with O’Callaghan taking the Man of the Match title as his sides got themselves back in the championship proper.

A bitter blow for Dripsey however few complaints as their low start and failure to use the wind when they had it ultimately did them in.

ARGIDEEN RANGERS: D Harrington; E O’Brien, M O’Callaghan, G Crowley; J Sheehan, P Butler, D Hurley; J.M O’Callaghan 0-7 (3f, 3.65) C O’Donovan; E Lawton 0-1, J Murphy, C O’Brien 0-1; B Fleming 0-4 (3f), B Hennessey, F Butler 0-2 Subs: J Deasy 0-1 for O’Brien (15), S Maxwell for B Hennessey (40)

DRIPSEY: A Buckley; B Kelleher, L Murphy, D Buckley; J Cotter, J O’Riordan, J Carey 0-2; P O’Riordan 0-1, C Hayes; S Desmond-Morris, D O’Sullivan 0-2, M O’Riordan 0-2; D O’Riordan 0-3, M O’Sullivan, E Maher 0-1 Subs: G Murphy 0-1 for Cotter (ht), J Burke for D O’Riordan (32), D O’Sullivan for Maher (53), S Murphy for P O’Riordan (53)

REFEREE: L O’Riordan (Belgooly)