No change at top of league

By West Cork Soccer Saturday March 13th, 2010

DRINAGH Rangers and Ballydehob remain joint top of the premier league table after both teams secured crucial league victories last Sunday to ensure the races for the league title continues to gear up for a thrilling conclusion to the season.

A solitary goal from ace striker Barry O’Driscoll (Hawthorn) enabled Drinagh to secure a hard fought victory against relegation-threatened Leeside whilst Ballydehob emerged comprehensive 5-2 away victors against Togher Celtic. Mark Cronin netted twice to make it sixteen league goals thus far this season (to maintain his amazing goals to games ratio). Damien Cotter, Barry O’Brien and Tim O’Regan also struck for Ballydehob.

Togher who have already secured their premier league status fielded a youthful and experimental team with one eye for the future and were rewarded with two goals from starlets Aidan Burke and Luke Murphy, both key members of their table-topping under-18 team. Ballydehob and Drinagh remain level on points at the summit but crucially reigning champions Drinagh possess two games in hand as they bid to make it successive league title triumphs.

Skibbereen remain well poised in fourth place to make a late challenge to retain the premier league title they last annexed in 2008 courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 away win against Crossmahon. Niall McCarthy and an own goal off an unfortunate Mahon defender enabled Skibb secure the three points. Skibb remain nine points behind the joint league leaders but possess games in hand (four and two on the Hob and Drinagh respectively). Skibb have also embarked upon a rich vein of form in recent weeks entering the defining stages of the season and remain firmly in contention to complete a unique league and cup double.

If their much cherished championship aspirations do not materialise they will bemoan their failure to turn their five draws into victories. Crossmahon remain engulfed in the relegation mire. They remain one point behind fellow strugglers Leeisde but have played one game more than their relagation rivals. Ominously for Crossmahon their one remaining league game this season is an away trip to title-chasing Skibbereen.

Clonakilty AFC gave their hopes of securing their premier league status a massive filip after grounding out a narrow 1-0 home win over Ardfield thus condemning their local rivals to first division soccer for next season. Daniel Herod was the hero netting the only goal of a tentative game to enable Clonakilty AFC leapfrog above Crossmahon and Leeside in the league table. This win all but secures Clonakilty’s premier league survival as they are two points clear of the drop zone and have six league games left to play this season. Bunratty United continued their fine run of form with a 1-0 away victory against Dunmanway Town. Colm Cleary grabbed his third goal in two games from the penalty spot midway through the second half to ensure Bunratty retain their third place position at present. Bunratty have enjoyed a dream first season back in the top flight and still remain firmly in contention for Beamish Cup glory. Dunmanway Town will be disappointed that their season has petered out tamely in recent week’s.

Molaga Celtic clinched their promotion to the premier league for the first time in their history by virtue of a commanding 3-1 away win against Aultagh Celtic. Alan Long, Ray O’Mahony and John Sheehan struck for Molaga to make it successful consecutive promotion bids. The form and consistency Molaga have displayed over the past two seasons suggests they will be a welcome addition to the premier league next season and indeed the players they possess at their disposal should ensure they will be competitive. Diarmuid Coughlan replied with a consolation goal for Aultagh.

The race to secure the second promotion place remains firmly in the melting pot after contrasting results for the two promotion-chasing incumbents Rosscarbery and Droumree Dynamos. Rosscarbery whose form has plumetted spectacularely in recent week’s having enjoyed a bright start to the season suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat against Riverside Athletic for whom Brian McCarthy netted a hat-trick to make it five goals in two games for this gifted young star. David Breen, Sean O’Brien and Darren Walsh were also on target to relieve Riverside’s relegation anxieties. Riverside now hold a four point advantage over Kilmichael Rovers whilst possessing one game in hand over their relegation rivals, and with Rovers due to travel to Ballineen next Sunday morning for the proverbial six pointer, this clash could well decide which team joins Lyre Rovers in plying their trade in the second division next seson.

Droumree Dynamos failed to avail of Rosscarbery’s heavy defeat as they were held to a 1-1 home draw against Bay Rovers. Martin Kelleher for the second successive week struck for Drourmee. Brian O’Sullivan replied with a goal for Rovers who themselves hold promotion aspirations. Droumree remain one point behind Rosscarbery in third place but have the luxury of two games in hand on their closest rivals. Whilst Bay Rovers remain in sixth place ten points off second place, they remain firmly in contention to mount a late promotional push as they possess six games in hand on Rosscarbery as the race for automatic promotion gears up for a thrilling conclusion.

Castletown Celtic’s hopes of promotion suffered a blow when they were defeated 3-2 by Bantry Gunners. Long serving campaigner Francis O’Callaghan opened the scoring for Castletown in the opening minutes. Gunners replied with two goals in four minutes midway through the first half through Jason Griffin and a Donal O’Shea penalty. Tim Crowley equalised for Castletown with a close range finish in the 62nd minute. Rory Deane who was outstanding throughout got the winning goal his performance deserved in the 80th minute to secure a thrilling Gunners victory.

Baltimore FC moved two points clear of long time leaders Crookstown at the top of the second division courtesy of a routine 2-0 home win against a depleted Harbour United outfit. Shane Breen and Sean Casey struck for The Crabs who overcame the enforced loss of influential ace duo (Pat Connolly and Gavin Kiely) to secure a comfortable victory. The recent signing of experienced playmaker Ger Murray has significantly helped the Crabs in terms of improving the strength and quality in depth of their squad. Crookstown who have endured a serious dip in form over recent week’s were held to a 1-1 away draw against Cloughduv last Saturday afternoon. David O’Halloran was on target for Crookstown. Danny Crowley struck for Cloughduv.

Courtmacsherry cruised to a facile 5-1 home win against Mizen AFC. Clive Cahalane struck four goals. Brian O’Donoghue was also on target for Courtmacsherry. Luigi Cifone replied with a consolation goal for Mizen AFC. Drinagh Rangers B romped to a comprehensive 6-1 away win against Clonakilty AFC B who remain firmly anchored to the foot of the second division. Gavin Beamish and James O’Regan struck hat-tricks respectively. Paul Bray grabbed the solitary consolation goal for Clonakilty AFC B. Durrus continued their recent impressive run of form with a 2-0 home win against Dunmanway Town B. Ciaran O’Donovan and Peter Thornton struck for the home team who under the guidance of coach Donnacha Minihane, have improved considerably over the course of the season. Castlelack emerged comprehensive 5-2 victors against Sullane. Vincent Goggin with a brace, Dan O’Leary, Declan Casey and Ian McCarthy were on target for Castlelack. James Cronin and Liam MacSuibhne replied with goals for Sullane.

Reigning Ladies League champions Bandon extended their lead at the summit after they ruthlessly brushed aside the challenge of Crookstown with relative ease. Caroline Sugrue with a hat-trick, Aoife McCarthy and Pamela Forde netted for a detemined Bandon team seeking to clinch their third league championship in three years. Nearest title challengers Drinagh and Beara shared the spoils after an entertaining 2-2 draw played at Canon Crowley Park. Aisling Connolly and Caroline Herlihy (from the penalty spot) struck for Drinagh. Cup heroine Ciara Murphy and a converted penalty from Bernadette O’Sullivan salvaged a draw for Beara. Bandon now hold a five point lead over Drinagh with four league games remaining.

Dunmanway Town and Lyre Rovers played out a 1-1 draw. Claire Hurley opened the scoring for Dunmanway Town. Maura O’Brien equalised to earn Lyre a deserved point. Knockavilla were awarded an away win against Harbour United. Bandon face a stern test of their championship credentials when they travel to play Beara next Sunday.

There were two games played in the O’Herlihy Bacon under-18 league last Saturday afternoon. League leaders Togher Celtic were surprisingly held to a 1-1 away draw against Riverside Athletic. Left winger Denis Cronin struck for Togher. Brian McCarthy whose goalscoring exploits in recent weeks for the under-18 team have resulted in him being promoted to junior level (a move he has made seamlessly) struck for Riverside. Skibb closed the gap at the summit to one point, with four games remaining after emerging victorious by the odd goal in seven against Drinagh Rangers. Mark Collins, James Davis, Trevor Roycroft and Jack Twomey struck for Skibb. John Harrington with a brace and towering centre back Daniel Hayes replied with the Drinagh goals.

There is a reduced league programme this weekend due to the Beamish Cup reaching the semi-final stages. However, all games down for decision this Sunday in the various leagues will have vital repercussions as the league enters the defining stages of what has been a dramatic season thus far.