2020 Cork Premier Senior Football Championship

2020 Cork Premier Senior Football Championship
Dates24 July 2020 - 29 August 2021
Teams16
SponsorBon Secours Hospital
Champions Nemo Rangers (22nd title)
Micheál Aodh Martin (captain)
Paul O'Donovan (manager)
Runners-up Castlehaven
Mark Collins (captain)
James McCarthy (manager)
Relegated Bishopstown
Tournament statistics
Matches played27
Goals scored66 (2.44 per match)
Points scored634 (23.48 per match)
Top scorer(s) Steven Sherlock (3-36)
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The 2020 Cork Premier Senior Football Championship was the inaugural staging of the Cork Premier Senior Football Championship and the 132nd staging overall of a championship for the top-ranking Gaelic football teams in Cork. The draw for the group stage placings took place on 19 November 2019.[1] The championship was scheduled to begin in April 2020, however, it was postponed indefinitely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.[2] The championship eventually began on 24 July 2020 and, after being suspended once again on 5 October 2020, and eventually ended on 29 August 2021.[3][4][5]

Nemo Rangers were the defending champions.[6]

The final was played on 29 August 2021 at Páirc Uí Chaoimh in Cork, between Castlehaven and Nemo Rangers, in what was their third final meeting and their first in six years. Nemo Rangers won the match by 3-07 to 0-13 to claim their 22nd championship title overall and a second title in succession.[7]

Steven Sherlock from the St. Finbarr's club was the championship's top scorer with 3-36.

Format change

On 26 March 2019, three championship proposals were circulated to Cork club delegates. A core element running through all three proposals, put together by the Cork GAA games workgroup, was that there be a group stage of 12 teams, straight relegation, and one team from the divisions/colleges section to enter at the preliminary quarter-final stage.[8] On 2 April 2019, a majority of 136 club delegates voted for Option A which would see one round of games played in April and two more in August – all with county players available.[9]

Participating teams

Clubs

The club rankings were based on a championship performance 'points' system over the previous four seasons.[10]

Team Location Colours Seeding Ranking
Nemo Rangers Trabeg Black and green A 1
St. Finbarr's Togher Blue and gold A 2
Carbery Rangers Rosscarbery Green, white and gold A 3
Ballincollig Ballincollig Red, white and black B 4
Castlehaven Castlehaven Blue and white B 5
Valley Rovers Innishannon Green and white B 6
Douglas Douglas Black, white and green C 7
Newcestown Newcestown Red and yellow C 8
Clonakilty Clonakilty Red and green C 9
Ilen Rovers Church Cross Green and white D 10
Bishopstown Bishopstown Maroon and white D 11
Carrigaline Carrigaline Blue and yellow D 12

Divisions and colleges

Team Location Colours
Beara Beara Peninsula Red and white
Carbery West Cork Purple and yellow
Duhallow Duhallow Red and white
University College Cork College Road Red and black

Fixtures/results

Group 1

Table

  Advance to knockout stage

Team Matches Score Pts
Pld W D L For Against Diff
St. Finbarr's 3 3 0 0 4-50 2-33 23 4
Ballincollig 3 2 0 1 4-35 2-34 7 4
Clonakilty 3 1 0 2 3-35 3-42 -7 2
Carrigaline 3 0 0 3 1-29 5-40 -23 0

Results

24 July 2020 Round 1 St. Finbarr's 1-13 - 0-10 Ballincollig Páirc Uí Rinn
E McGreevey (1-1), S Sherlock (0-3 frees) and C Myers Murray (0-4 each), C Keane, B Hayes, I Maguire and C Barrett (0-1 each). Report C Dorgan (0-6, 0-5 frees), D Murphy (0-2), C Kiely (free) and L Fahy (0-1 each). Referee: J Bermingham (Bride Rovers)
25 July 2020 Round 1 Clonakilty 1-12 - 0-08 Carrigaline Charlie Hurley Park
D Ó Sé 0-8 (0-2f), D O’Regan 1-0, J Grimes, B White, B Ridgeway, S White 0-1 each. Report J McCarthy 0-2, Kieran Kavanagh, D Griffin, Kevin Kavanagh, D Greene, O Barry, É Desmond (0-1f) 0-1 each. Referee: P O'Driscoll (Bride Rovers)
16 August 2020 Round 2 Ballincollig 2-17 - 1-10 Clonakilty St. Mary's Park
C Dorgan (1-7, 5 frees, 1-0 pen); D Murphy (0-6); D Dorgan (1-0); K Browne (0-2); S Kiely, C Kiely (0-1 each). Report D Ó Sé (1-6, 4 frees, 1-0 pen); J Grimes, S McEvoy, S White, D O’Regan (0-1 each). Referee: J Ryan (Macroom)
16 August 2020 Round 2 St. Finbarr's 2-20 - 1-10 Carrigaline Páirc Uí Chaoimh
S Sherlock (1-11, 2 frees, 2 45s), C Myers Murray (1-4), B Hayes (0-2), C Lyons, C Keane and E McGreevey (0-1 each). Report E Desmond (0-6, 0-2 frees), K McIntyre (1-1), J McCarthy (free), S Dwane and O Barry (0-1 each). Referee: A Long (Argideen Rangers)
6 September 2020 Round 3 Ballincollig 2-08 - 0-11 Carrigaline Páirc Uí Rinn
C Dorgan (45, 4frees)(0-5); D Dorgan (1-1); E Cooke (1-0); S Kiely (0-2). Report E Desmond (frees)(0-4); J McCarthy (frees), D Greene, L Boyle (45) (0-2 each); D Griffin (0-1).
6 September 2020 Round 3 St. Finbarr's 1-17 - 1-13 Clonakilty Coachford Sportsfield
S Sherlock 1-7 (0-2 f, 0-1 mark, 0-1 45), B Hayes 0-3, C Myers-Murray and E Finn 0-2 each, C Lyons, A Lyne and E McGreevey 0-1 each. Report D Ó Sé 0-6 (0-5 f), J Grimes 1-2, T Clancy, D Lowney, J O'Mahony, D O'Regan, B White 0-1 each.

Group 2

Table

  Advance to knockout stage   Advance to relegation play-offs

Team Matches Score Pts
Pld W D L For Against Diff
Castlehaven 3 3 0 0 5-45 2-22 32 6
Newcestown 3 2 0 1 5-38 4-28 13 4
Carbery Rangers 3 1 0 2 2-32 2-34 -2 2
Ilen Rovers 3 0 0 3 3-19 7-50 -43 0

Results

25 July 2020 Round 1 Newcestown 3-17 - 1-07 Ilen Rovers Sam Maguire Park
C Keane 2-1, C Healy 0-4 (1f), D Buckley 0-3, T Twomey 1-0, G O’Donovan, L Meade, S O’Sullivan 0-2 each, J Meade, M Kelly, C Dinneen (0-1f) 0-1 each. Report S O’Donovan 1-1 (1-0 penalty, 0-1f), D Mac Eoin 0-2f, S Leonard, Peter O’Driscoll, D Collins, Conor O’Driscoll 0-1 each. Referee: A Long (Argideen Rangers)
26 July 2020 Round 1 Carbery Rangers 0-09 - 0-14 Castlehaven Ahamilla Complex
S Hayes (0-4, 0-2 frees); M Hodnett (0-3, 0-2 frees); D Hayes, J Hayes (0-1 each). Report M Hurley (0-6; B Hurley (0-4, 0-1 ‘45); M Collins (0-2, 0-2 frees); C Cahalane, C Maguire (0-1 each).
15 August 2020 Round 2 Carbery Rangers 0-14 - 0-08 Ilen Rovers Leap Sportsfield
S Hayes 0-5 (0-3f), J O’Rourke 0-4, B Shanahan 0-2 (0-1 45), B Hodnett, J O’Regan, J Fitzpatrick 0-1 each. Report S Leonard 0-4, S O’Donovan 0-2 (0-1f), K Lynch, D Mac Eoin 0-1 each. Referee: C Dineena (Douglas)
16 August 2020 Round 2 Castlehaven 1-12 - 0-09 Newcestown Rossa Park
M Collins 0-6 (0-5 frees), M Hurley 1-0, B Hurley, C O’Driscoll, C Maguire 0-2 each. Report C Healy 0-3 (frees), D Buckley 0-2, D Twomey (free), C Dinneen, L Meade, T Twomey 0-1 each. Referee: C Lane (Lyre)
6 September 2020 Round 3 Carbery Rangers 2-09 - 2-12 Newcestown Henry Ford Park
M Hodnett 1-1, B Shanahan 1-0, J Hayes (0-2f), J O’Rourke, B Hodnett 0-2 each, J Fitzpatrick, Jerry O’Riordan 0-1 each. Report T Twomey 1-2, J Meade 1-0, D Twomey 0-4 (0-1f), D Buckley, C Keane 0-2 each, L Meade, S O’Sullivan 0-1 each.
6 September 2020 Round 3 Castlehaven 4-19 - 2-04 Ilen Rovers Gabriel Rangers GAA Grounds
M Collins 2-3 (0-2 frees), B Hurley 0-7 (0-2 frees, 0-2 45’s),C Cahalane 0-3, R Maguire 1-0, C O’Driscoll 0-2, J Cahalane 1-2, C Maguire and Darragh Cahalane 0-1 each. Report C Harrington and C O’Driscoll 1-0 each, Peter O’Driscoll, K Lynch, S O’Donovan (free) and D Mac Eoin 0-1 each.

Group 3

Table

  Advance to knockout stage   Advance to relegation play-offs

Team Matches Score Pts
Pld W D L For Against Diff
Nemo Rangers 3 3 0 0 6-40 2-25 27 6
Valley Rovers 3 2 0 1 2-35 7-21 -1 4
Douglas 3 1 0 3 5-29 3-38 -3 2
Bishopstown 3 0 0 3 2-23 3-43 -23 0

Results

24 July 2020 Round 1 Nemo Rangers 3-08 - 1-09 Valley Rovers Cloughduv
L Connolly 2-3 (0-1 f), C O’Donovan 1-0, B O’Driscoll 0-3 (0-1 f), P Kerrigan 0-2. Report F Lynch 0-7 (0-4 f, 0-1 45), J Walsh 1-0, E O’Reilly and K Canty 0-1 each. Referee: J Ryan (Macroom)
25 July 2020 Round 1 Douglas 1-14 - 1-09 Bishopstown Páirc Uí Rinn
C Russell (3 fs)(0-5); D Kelly (1-1); N Hartnett, B Hartnett (0-2 each); L Dineen, D Ward, L McGrath, S Wilson (0-1 each). Report B O’Neill (fs)(0-4), O Devlin (1-0); M Oakes (fs)(0-2); S Collins (f), P O’Flynn, D Costello, (0-1 each). Referee: B Coniry (Crosshaven)
15 August 2020 Round 2 Nemo Rangers 2-17 - 0-06 Bishopstown Páirc Uí Rinn
L Connolly (0-8, 0-6 frees); M Cronin (1-4, 0-1 free); S Cronin (1-0); P Kerrigan (0-2); B Murphy, J Horgan (0-1 each). Report K O’Halloran (0-1 ‘45), J O’Sullivan (0-1 mark), O Devlin (0-1 free), S Collins, D Costelloe, B Clifford (0-1 each). Referee: D Murnane (Macroom)
16 August 2020 Round 2 Valley Rovers 1-14 - 3-05 Douglas Ovens Sportsfield
F Lynch (0-6, 0-2 45s, 0-1 free), C O’Leary (1-0), B Crowley, J Walsh, E O’Reilly (0-2 each), A Walsh Murphy and J Cottrell (mark) (0-1 each). Report B Hartnett, E O’Sullivan and F Ó Luanaigh (1-0 each), C Russell (0-3, 0-2 frees), F Desmond and S Collins (0-1 each). Referee: J Bermingham (Bride Rovers)
6 September 2020 Round 3 Nemo Rangers 1-15 - 1-10 Douglas Páirc Uí Chaoimh
L Connolly (0-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 mark); R Dalton (1-1); P Kerrigan (0-3); M Cronin (0-2, 0-1 free); K O’Donovan, B O’Driscoll, C Horgan (0-1 each). Report C Russell (0-5, 0-3 frees); D Ward (0-3); S McCarthy (1-0); B Hartnett, L Dineen (0-1 each).
6 September 2020 Round 3 Valley Rovers 0-12 - 1-08 Bishopstown Ballinora Sportsfield
F Lynch 0-4 f, B Crowley 0-2, A Walsh Murphy, C O’Leary, K Canty, J Walsh, E Delaney, E O’Reilly 0-1 each. Report P O’Flynn 1-1, S Collins 0-4 (0-1 f), M Power 0-2, K O’Halloran 0-1 f.

Divisional/colleges sections

Semi-finals

20 August 2020 Semi-final Carbery 0-11 - 0-16 University College Cork Ovens Sportsfield
G O’Callaghan 0-4 (0-3 f), K O’Driscoll, D O’Driscoll 0-3 each, K Keohane D McCarthy 0-1 each. Report J McEntee 0-8 (0-1 f), S Walsh 0-5 (0-3 f, 0-1 mark), C Crowley, J Twomey, J O’Mullane 0-1 each.
Semi-final Duhallow w/o - scr. Beara Sam Maguire Park

Final

23 August 2020 Final University College Cork 6-12 - 4-20 Duhallow O'Connell Park
C Geaney (2-1), R Ó Beaglaioch (1-2, 1f, 1 mark), E O’Brien (0-3, frees), I Jennings, J McEntee, D Casey (1-0 each), J O’Mullane, L Wall, S Walsh, L Kennedy, A Quinn, C Crowley (0-1 each). Report Séamus Hickey (1-3), J O’Connor (1f), C O’Callaghan (1-2 each), E McSweeney (0-4, 2f), M Ellis (1-1), D O’Connor (0-3, 2f), P Walsh (0-2), Shane Hickey, N Flahive, F O’Connor (0-1 each). Referee: C Dineen (Douglas)

Knock-out stage

Relegation playoff

20 September 2020 Playoff Ilen Rovers 0-18 - 1-06 Bishopstown Ahamilla Sportsfield
S O’Donovan (0-7, 0-1 mark, 0-1 free), D Mac Eoin (0-6, 0-2 frees), S Leonard (0-3), Peter O’Driscoll and D Hegarty (0-1 each). Report Ó Devlin (0-3, 2 frees), B Clifford (1-0), P O’Flynn (0-1 free), D Costelloe and S Collins (0-1 each).

Quarter-finals

20 September 2020 Quarter-final Duhallow 0-16 - 0-15 Valley Rovers Páirc Uí Rinn
D O’Connor (0-5, 0-3 frees); M Ellis, J O’Connor (0-3 each); P Walsh, E McSweeney, F O’Connor, Seamus Hickey, D Moynihan (0-1 each). Report F Lynch (0-5, 0-3 frees); B Crowley, Tadhg O’Brien (0-2 each); E O’Reilly, A Walsh Murphy, C O’Leary, E Delaney, J Cottrell (0-1 free), J Walsh (0-1 each).
27 September 2020 Quarter-final Nemo Rangers 5-07 - 0-14 Ballincollig Páirc Uí Rinn
L Connolly 3-3 (1-0 pen, 0-2f, 0-1 ’45), M Cronin 1-2, R Dalton 1-1, P Kerrigan 0-1. Report C Dorgan 0-5 (0-2f, 0-1 ’45), D Murphy 0-4, C Kiely 0-2, C Moore, E Cooke, D Dorgan 0-1 each.
30 September 2020 Quarter-final St. Finbarr's 0-14 - 1-08 Newcestown Páirc Uí Chaoimh
S Sherlock 0-6 (0-3f), C Myers-Murray 0-5, E Finn, E McGreevy, D O’Brien 0-1 each. Report D Twomey 0-5 (0-5f), S O’Sullivan 1-0, D Buckley 0-2, C Dineen 0-1 (0-1f).

Semi-finals

4 October 2020 Semi-final Nemo Rangers 0-14 - 2-07 Duhallow Páirc Uí Rinn
M Cronin (0-4, 0-2 frees); P Kerrigan (0-3); C Horgan (0-2, 0-1 mark), L Connolly (0-2, 0-1 mark, 0-1 ‘45); J Horgan, B O’Driscoll, C O’Brien (0-1 each). Report M Ellis, Séamus Hickey (1-1 each); D O’Connor (0-2, 0-1 free); P Walsh, C O’Callaghan, F O’Connor (0-1 each).
4 October 2020 Semi-final Castlehaven 1-13 - 1-13
Penalties:
4-3		 St. Finbarr's Páirc Uí Rinn
M Collins (frees), B Hurley (0-2 frees, 0-1 sideline) (0-4 each), C Cahalane (1-0), M Hurley (0-2), Damien Cahalane, J Walsh, C Maguire (0-1 each). Report S Sherlock (1-9, 7 frees); B Hayes (0-2); D O’Brien, C Myers Murray (0-1 each).

Final

29 August 2021 Final Nemo Rangers 3-07 - 0-13 Castlehaven Páirc Uí Chaoimh
L Connolly 2-0, C Dalton 1-0, P Kerrigan, R Dalton 0-2 each, A O’Donovan, B O’Driscoll, J McDermott 0-1 each. Report B Hurley 0-8 (0-6f), M Hurley 0-3, C O’Driscoll 0-2. Referee: C Lane (Banteer)

Championship statistics

Top scorers

Overall
Rank Player Club Tally Total Matches Average
1 Steven Sherlock St. Finbarr's 3-36 45 5 9.00
2 Luke Connolly Nemo Rangers 7-22 43 6 7.16
3 Cian Dorgan Ballincollig 1-23 26 4 6.50
4 Brian Hurley Castlehaven 0-25 25 5 5.00
5 Dara Ó Sé Clonakilty 1-20 23 3 7.66
6 Fiachra Lynch Valley Rovers 0-22 22 4 5.50
7 Mark Collins Castlehaven 2-15 21 5 4.20
8 Cillian Myers-Murray St. Finbarr's 1-16 19 5 3.80
9 Mark Cronin Nemo Rangers 2-12 18 5 3.60
10 Seán O'Donovan Ilen Rovers 0-14 14 4 3.50
In a single game
Rank Player Club Tally Total Opposition
1 Steven Sherlock St. Finbarr's 1-11 14 Carrigaline
2 Luke Connolly Nemo Rangers 3-03 12 Ballincollig
Steven Sherlock St. Finbarr's 1-09 12 Castlehaven
4 Cian Dorgan Ballincollig 1-07 10 Clonakilty
Steven Sherlock St. Finbarr's 1-07 10 Clonakilty
6 Luke Connolly Nemo Rangers 2-03 9 Valley Rovers
Mark Collins Castlehaven 2-03 9 Ilen Rovers
Dara Ó Sé Clonakilty 1-06 9 Ballincollig
9 Dara Ó Sé Clonakilty 0-08 8 Carrigaline
James McEntee UCC 0-08 8 Carbery
Luke Connolly Nemo Rangers 0-08 8 Bishopstown
Brian Hurley Castlehaven 0-08 8 Nemo Rangers

Miscellaneous

  • The quarter-final between Ballincollig and Nemo Rangers was postponed after it emerged that a Ballincollig player had tested positive for Covid-19 and a decision was made to temporarily suspend all club activity for 48 hours as a precautionary measure.[11]

References

  1. ^ "2020 Championship Draws". Cork GAA website. 19 November 2019. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Cork GAA Statement 18/03/2020". Cork GAA website. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  3. ^ "GAA suspends all club games with immediate effect until further notice". The 42. 5 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  4. ^ "County Executive Update 21/10/2020". Cork GAA website. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  5. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (4 May 2021). "Castlehaven v Nemo Rangers Cork Premier SFC final clash earmarked for August". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  6. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (27 October 2019). "Brace form Luke Connolly the difference as Nemo Rangers overcome Duhallow in Cork SFC". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  7. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (29 August 2021). "Connolly hits two goals as Nemo Rangers win 2020 Cork senior football final against Castlehaven". The 42. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  8. ^ Cormican, Eoghan (26 March 2019). "Here's a breakdown of the proposals to restructure the Cork county championships". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. ^ "Cork clubs vote down radical restructuring proposals". RTÉ Sport. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. ^ Leen, Tony (18 November 2019). "Where does your club rank? Cork GAA confirms grading for 2020 Championships". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  11. ^ "Covid-19 causes postponement of Cork SFC quarter-final". Hogan Stand. 17 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.