Rovers come out on top in play-off to make final

By Ger McCarthy 

Kilmichael Rovers qualified for the SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys U12 Division 1B League final following victory over Togher Celtic last weekend.

Rovers and Celtic finished level in joint-second place behind U12 Division 1B pace-setters Bantry Bay Rovers C and met in a play-off to decide who would face the Kealkill club in this season’s league final. Inchisine was the venue for an entertaining clash in which the home side emerged 3-1 winners.

Jack Browne, Tim Sweeney and an own goal represented Kilmichael’s total with Brian O’Sullivan converting a penalty in reply for Togher. Matthew Hurley, Conor McCarthy, Eamon Crowley and Brian O’Sullivan starred for Celtic on an afternoon Jack Browne, Seán Hallahan, Jerry O’Riordan and Niall Kelleher were the pick of Kilmichael’s standout performers.

Lyre Rovers defeated Ardfield 3-1 in the SuperValu U12 Premier League to finish joint-top of the table alongside Skibbereen Celtic and Dunmanway Town. 

That result means a three-way play-off for the league trophy is required because goal-difference is not taken into account in any of the WCSL age-grades.

Jason Murray continued his excellent season with a brace of goals with Oisín Harrington also getting his name on the scoresheet for the hosts. Seán Whelton was a battling Ardfield’s lone scorer with Liam Dooley, Jerry McCarthy, Dylan O’Neill and Ronan Hayes also impressing for the visitors. Oisin Harrington, Tom Bailey, Rory McCarthy and Jason Murray’s combined efforts earned Lyre a deserved shot at the U12 Premier League title.

Bunratty United will contest this season’s SuperValu U12 Division 1A League final after the Town Park club secured top spot in the division with a hard-fought 4-3 victory at home to Castlelack. The visiting side required a win to stay in the hunt for a league final berth but it was Bunratty who came from 2-1 down to finish top of the table. Shane Crowley (two), Sam Logan and Louis Dolan found the net for United with Jack Coomey (two) and Ryan O’Neill replying for Castlelack. 

Riverside Athletic will face Bunratty for the U12 Division 1A trophy if they overcome Dunmanway Town B in their final league outing otherwise Skibbereen Phoenix (currently in second spot) will contest the decider. 

The top four clubs in this mini-season’s SuperValu U15 Premier League will qualify for the league semi-final play-offs. Lyre Rovers cemented their place in the last four courtesy of a high-scoring victory away to Castlelack in Lauragh, Bandon. Rovers emerged 1-4 winners thanks to Ethan Buttimer (four), Fergal Murphy (three), Daniel O’Donovan, Cian O’Sullivan and Will Blackburn strikes. Ciarán O’Donovan (two), Michael Quinlan and Dan Flanagan scored for Castlelack.

Peter Craig, Darragh Callanan, Brian Lordan and Dan Flanagan played superbly for the hosts, with Fergal Murphy, Ethan Buttimer, Sean Ryan and Mikey Alvarez in excellent form for Lyre.