It took Carbery Rangers over one hundred years to claim their first county junior title and since then they have become one of the most consistent club’s on the Cork scene.

Regularly reaching the latter stages of the senior championship and accumulating numerous Kelleher Shield titles over the past decade, the Andy Scannell cup was all that was missing from the Rosscarbery club’s trophy cabinet.

The emotional scenes at the final whistle told you all you need to know about what winning a Cork SFC means to Carbery Rangers on a never-to-be-forgotten afternoon.

Goals win games

John O’Rourke, John Hayes, Robbie Kiely and James Fitzpatrick are just some of the marquee names that have attracted positive headlines during Carbery Rangers’ senior championship campaign.

Yet, it was fitting that one of the West Cork club’s unsung heroes and most consistent players over the past 12 months was on hand to convert the county final’s pivotal score.

Chris O’Donovan didn’t have one of his best games but crucially, was on hand to finish off a move that spanned the length of the field with a priceless goal after 38 minutes. In such a close final, O’Donovan’s goal proved priceless.

A refreshing advert for club football

This year’s county senior final delivered an excellent game full of superb scores and standout performances in front of a bumper attendance. At a time when Cork are struggling at inter-county level it was refreshing to see Paddy Kelly, Noel Galvin and John O’Rourke plus their respective team mates serve up such a high-quality club affair.

The Cork SFC has delivered a succession of hard-hitting matchups in recent times including last year’s drawn game and replay between Nemo Rangers and Castlehaven. An improved football championship is vital to Cork’s hopes of improving their fortunes at inter-county level and the 2016 decider certainly delivered a worthy spectacle.