IT is crunch time for the West Cork Academy’s representative squads in the 2025/26 SFAI National Inter-League competitions.

West Cork has enjoyed a productive run in Group C of this season’s SFAI National U15 Schoolboys Inter-League.

Limerick District currently lead the way with maximum points from their opening two games. West Cork sits in joint-second place alongside Kerry and the Cork Schoolboys League with each county on three points apiece.

West Cork will travel to Kerry for a crunch Group C clash in Killarney on January 25th. That precedes a tough away trip to Limerick District in early February. 

In terms of current form, Kerry edged Cork 1-0 before losing 2-0 at home to group leaders Limerick District.

A high scoring 6-4 victory at home to North Tipperary represented the best possible start to the West Cork U15 campaign. Dunmanway Town’s Vittor Coutinho netted a hat-trick with Castlelack’s Jack Allen (two) and Bunratty United’s James Goggin’s also on the scoresheet. Cork edged a close encounter 1-0 in West Cork’s second outing.

It won’t be straightforward but positive results from their two remaining group fixtures could secure the West Cork Academy a potential top-two finish. West Cork played Cobh Ramblers U15s in a friendly last weekend as part of their build-up to those important Inter-League clashes.

West Cork Academy U15 Schoolboys squad: Oisin Griffin, Sam Mullany, Henrikas Dabrys, James Goggin, Lovro Kordic, Marcus Moynihan, Max O’Reilly, Adam Whelton, Jack Allen, Michael Valentino Collins, Matthew Kelleher, Aidan Whooley, Donnacha Collins, Max Bramoulle, Dylan O’Shea, Vittor Coutinho, Eoghain Holland.

In the Schoolboys U16 National Inter-League, both West Cork and Limerick District have already lost to Group A winners, Cork.

That means the outcome of the former and Limerick’s last remaining group encounter, taking place on Saturday, January 10th at the University of Limerick, will decide who finishes in the runners-up spot. Group D winners South Belfast await in the semi-finals after overcoming Sligo-Leitrim 8-3 on aggregate.

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The West Cork U14 Schoolboys are gearing up for an important SFAI National Inter-League quarter-final meeting at home to Sligo-Leitrim.

Canon Crowley Park, home of Drinagh Rangers, will host the eagerly anticipated last-eight encounter on Saturday, January 10th.

Sligo-Leitrim found the going tough in Group H of this season’s U14 Schoolboys age-grade, finishing fourth behind Cavan-Monaghan, Donegal and Inishowen.

The West Cork Academy earned a third-place finishing berth in Group A. Kingsley Osagie Crosby and Finbarr O’Mahony strikes plus an own goal cemented West Cork a 3-1 win at home to Limerick County. Subsequent losses to Kerry and Limerick Desmond prevented West Cork from securing a top-two group finish.

Yet, the latter will hope home advantage and a talented squad is enough to get the better of Sligo-Leitrim.

West Cork Academy U14 Schoolboys: Eli Zabala, Aodhan O’Mahony, Conor Collins, Danny Carroll, Dylan O’Brien, Ed Hough, Donagh Griffin, Finbarr O’Mahony, Kingsley Osagie Crosby, Ryan Crowley Healy, Rory Hurley, Jack Horgan, Charlie Daly, Sam Kingston, Tristan Hayes, Daniel O’Sullivan, Ben Machie, Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller and Caden Walsh.

The West Cork Academy awaits the draw for the knockout stages of the 2025/26’ SFAI National U13 Schoolboys Inter-League.

The latter finished fourth behind Cork United, Kerry and Limerick Desmond in Group B. Limerick District, West Waterford East Cork, the North Eastern Regional League, Cavan-Monaghan, Roscommon District, Longford and Wicklow are amongst West Cork’s potential opponents in the knockout rounds.

The region’s U12 Schoolboys representatives are also awaiting the draws for the knockout phase of this season’s SFAI National Inter-League.

West Cork A competed well against Kerry, Cork Athletic and Limerick County Whites in the opening group stage. The same was true of a young West Cork U12 B squad who gave their all against Limerick Desmond, Cork United and Limerick County Greens.

Drinagh Rangers were knocked out of the SFAI U14 Schoolboys National Trophy competition following a fourth round loss away to Leeside.

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Most of the weekend’s scheduled SFAI National Cup and National Trophy fixtures fell victim to the weather.

One tie that did go ahead saw Drinagh Rangers travel to Leeside in a crucial SFAI U14 Schoolboys National Trophy tie.

A place in the last 32 and national stages of the competition was on offer the winners. The Canon Crowley Park side entered the fixture in good health having overcome Wilton United (5-1) and Fermoy (5-2) in previous rounds.  

Unfortunately for the WCSSL club, Leeside proved too strong, ending Drinagh’s superb run in the competition following a 5-1 defeat last Sunday. Charlie Daly netted Drinagh’s solitary reply.

Two other West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League clubs will be involved in SFAI action over the coming weeks.

Dunmanway Town’s scheduled SFAI U14 Schoolboys National Cup fourth round clash away to Carrigaline United was postponed last weekend. 

The winners will qualify for the national stages. So, an in-form Dunmanway will be eager to build on superb victories over Fermoy (3-2) and Carrigtwohill United (4-2). It won’t be easy however, as Carrigaline have also been in excellent form, overcoming Drinagh Rangers (4-0) and Bandon (5-0). 

Castlelack were due to host Corinthian Boys A in an SFAI U12 Schoolboys National Trophy tie before the weather intervened last weekend. 

The Brinny club are one victory away from reaching the last 32, national stages. Castlelack knocked out St Mary’s AFC (1-1, on penalties) in their previous outing and will be anxious to stay in the competition.  

The WCCSL club’s opponents will be no pushover. Corinthian Boys A proved too strong for Wilton United A (4-0) and Springfield Ramblers (5-0) in previous rounds.