Cian sends Skibb clear

O’Brien hits double for Skibb U12s

SKIBBEREEN opened up a five-point gap at the top of the SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys U12 Premier League following the Baltimore Road club’s latest victory.

Riverside Athletic travelled to Skibbereen for last Saturday’s pivotal U12 Premier League meeting. Two points separated the sides at kick-off and it was Riverside who enjoyed the better start, taking the lead when Caolan O’Donovan’s corner kick managed to find its way into the back of the net.

Refusing to panic, Skibbereen drew level when Ryan McCarthy arrowed home a venomous effort from outside the penalty box. Cian O’Brien is enjoying another standout season in Skibbereen’s colours and edged his team 2-1 in front courtesy of a long-range free-kick. 

O’Brien cemented his side’s 3-1 victory with a third and match-winning goal midway through the second period. Getting on the end of a flowing move, a well-placed O’Brien finish helped Skibbereen see off Riverside’s challenge and move five points clear of the Castletownkenneigh-based club, Lyre Rovers and Bantry Bay Rovers Cadets.

Drinagh Rangers tightened their grip at the top of SuperValu U13 Premier League following a comprehensive 5-0 victory over local rivals Dunmanway Town. Originally fixed for Mohona, the fixture was moved to Canon Crowley Park where Rangers scored five times without replay to surge further ahead of title-rivals Bantry Bay Rovers and Ardfield Rangers. Luke Shorten (2), Cormac O’Shanahan, Eoin Hurley and James Russell got their names on the scoresheet for the league leaders.

Bunratty United moved into SuperValu U13 Division 1 League title-contention thanks to a 3-0 defeat of Leeside in Town Park. James McKnight and Tom Ryan-Purcell found the net and an own goal completed United’s third win in as many outings. Sam Pickering, Sadhbh Hurley and Oisin Hurley played well for a battling Leeside. Tom Ryan-Purcell, Conor Tobin, David Coughlan and Sarah McSweeney were in excellent form for Bunratty.

Lyre Rovers remain a point clear the top of the U13 Division 1 standings despite being held to a 2-2 draw by Castlelack on Sunday afternoon. Joshua Hamilton-Foott and Jonah D’alton scored for Castlelack on Lyre’s home pitch but Sean White and Timothy Cullinane efforts ensured Rovers earned a share of the spoils and remain undefeated. 

Bantry Bay Rovers will travel to Ardfield Rangers in the last eight of the SuperValu U13 Cup following the Kealkil side’s comprehensive win over Ardfield Rovers last Saturday. Playing in a division below high-flying Bantry Bay, Ardfield Rovers were no match for a team that just missed out on the national stages of this season’s SFAI U13 National Cup despite Ronan Coakley, Gearoid Coleman, Luca Aerts and Donnacha Coakley’s best efforts.

Caylum O’Driscoll (3), Darragh O’Brien (2), Naoise Hayes (2), Javan Dragas, Sonny Hogan, Ben O’Sullivan, Cathal O’Driscoll and Ryan Walsh all scored in this 12-0 win to secure Bay Rovers’ cup quarter-final berth.