Drinagh Rangers 2

Ardfield 1

GER McCARTHY REPORTS

DRINAGH Rangers completed a West Cork League treble by overcoming Ardfield to win the 2026 Beamish Cup final at Munster FA's Turner’s Cross last Sunday.

Having already claimed the Premier Division League title and Parkway Hotel-Maybury Coaches Cup, Rangers lifted the West Cork League’s most prestigious trophy to seal a memorable campaign.

A first Beamish Cup success in eight years was attained thanks to two first-half strikes and a solid defensive effort.

In a cup final that rarely rose above the ordinary in standard, an own goal set Drinagh on their way. Robbie McQueen’s converted free kick gave Ardfield too big a mountain to climb despite Niall Keane’s 90th minute strike.

Robbie McQueen raises the Beamish Cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

‘On a day like today, the weather was perfect, the pitch was perfect, everything went well for us from the minute we met up in Drinagh to get the bus,’ Drinagh manager Robert O’Regan told The Southern Star.

‘We just had a good feeling on the bus all the way up. The lads were having quite a bit of banter. There was no real stress and the mental side of the game is always a big thing for me. I could see we were relaxed and ready to meet the challenge.

‘We knew Ardfield were going to be difficult. They were going to be tough, physically fit and able to play ball.’

‘I thought the first 10 to 15 minutes would be hectic, typical of any cup final at Turner’s Cross,’ Drinagh coach Rob Oldham added.

‘We played some good football. I thought our second goal from Robbie (McQueen) was a cracker. We controlled the first half well, the second half we could have controlled better.

‘It was a cup final though, it was Turner’s Cross and, look, we got the win. Three out of four trophies ain’t bad!’

For the second season in a row, Ardfield suffered a Beamish Cup final loss.

An inability to convert early dominance into goals proved costly. Unable to reproduce the high tempo, attacking style that delivered this year’s Championship Cup, the club’s first trophy in 14 years, Ardfield could have little argument with the outcome.

‘I’m not too sure,’ Ardfield’s coach Sean Linehan commented when asked if Rangers were just too good on the day.

‘If you look at the two goals, a cross that deflected into our net and then a great free kick from Robbie McQueen. After that, our goalkeeper was never troubled for most of the game. Our first goal probably came too late and we were struggling from there on. Fair dues to Drinagh.’

Tim O'Donovan, chairman of the West Cork League, presents the Man of the Match trophy to Drinagh Rangers' Steven Crowley. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

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Bright sunshine and a perfect playing surface helped both teams settle.

An offside flag halted Paul Hodnett’s first foray into Drinagh territory prior to Paddy McCarthy diving low to stop a George Cannon daisy-cutter.

Ardfield continued to press, with Sam Linehan firing wide shortly after. A Robbie McQueen attempt that trailed wide was all Drinagh had to show for a disappointing start. The Canon Crowley Park side was fortunate not to fall behind after 15 minutes.

An Ardfield breakaway saw Paul Hodnett release Conor Twomey. The Ardfield striker beat an outrushing Paddy McCarthy to the ball but his chipped shot cleared the crossbar from the edge of the box.

That scare elicited a positive Drinagh response and, against the run of play, Rangers hit the front after 26 minutes. A move emanating down the right flank resulted in Daniel McCarthy’s low cross flicking off an Ardfield defender and into the net.

An efficient offside trap and tightened Drinagh defending curtailed Ardfield’s attempts to mount a comeback.

Michael Hennigan and Barry O’Driscoll kept an increasingly confident Rangers on the front foot, as did Tom and Robbie McQueen’s midfield promptings.

Drinagh were rewarded for their increased efforts with a second goal two minutes before the break.

The award of a free kick outside Ardfield’s penalty area presented Robbie McQueen with an opportunity. The midfielder curled a delicious effort over the wall and into the bottom corner for a 2-0 interval lead.

Ardfield were fortunate not to concede a third five minutes into the second period. Michael Hennigan seized upon a stray Michael Maguire pass but his low shot from the edge of the 18-yard box was safely gathered by Aaron O’Brien.

The Drinagh Rangers team celebrate. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

Another O’Brien save from a Robbie McQueen shot underlined Rangers’ superiority.

Ardfield struggled to mount a comeback and found themselves on the back foot for much of the third quarter. Michael Hennigan, Padraic Hegarty and Barry O’Driscoll repeatedly stretched their opposing back four and it took a marauding Ronan Hayes run to rouse Ardfield and their supporters.

Substitute Diarmuid Kerr forced Paddy McCarthy into a save before Cillian Fitzpatrick had a goal ruled out for a foul at the opposite end. Aaron O’Brien denied Tom McQueen and Robbie McQueen in consecutive attacks as the second half wound down.

Just when it appeared Drinagh were set for victory, Niall Keane sprung Rangers’ offside trap and rolled the ball under Paddy McCarthy to make it 2-1 in the 90th minute.

Drinagh saw out the remaining injury time, however, deservedly winning and cementing a historic treble-winning campaign.

Our Star: Steven Crowley received the Man of the Match award for a flawless defensive display in the heart of Rangers’ back four.

Drinagh Rangers: Paddy McCarthy, Daniel McCarthy, JJ Collins, Donal O’Donovan, Steven Crowley, Robbie McQueen (captain), Tom McQueen, Cillian Fitzpatrick, Michael Hennigan, Padraic Hegarty, Barry O’Driscoll.

Substitutes: Jack Payne Murphy, Padraig Cronin, Eoin Hurley, Denzil Fernandes, Harry Carey, Sean Calnan, Caolan O’Driscoll.

Ardfield: Aaron O’Brien, Caolan Hayes, Fintan Barrett (captain), Michael Maguire, Ronan Hayes, Niall Keane, Sam Linehan, Sean Lawless, Paul Hodnett, Conor Twomey, George Cannon.

Substitutes: Diarmuid Kerr, Peter Barrett, Cillian White, Colm Hayes, Karol Siwek, Jerry McCarthy, Szymon Gomola.

Referee: Sean Doyle.