ALL roads lead to Canon Crowley Park on Sunday morning for the clash of two Premier Division heavyweights locked in a battle for this season’s title.

Defending champions Clonakilty Soccer Club head into the backyard of their biggest rivals, Drinagh Rangers, for a Christmas cracker that could give us the first real indication of who will emerge victorious this season.

In the past two seasons, Clon have just beaten Drinagh to the Premier title, and this season looks set to go right down to the wire as they meet twice in their last five games.

Right now, there is nothing between the sides. Both Clonakilty and Drinagh Rangers sit on 25 points after nine games, having won eight, drawn one and lost none. They are even closely matched in goals scored (Clon’s 38 to Drinagh’s 39) and goals conceded (Clon’s 8 to Drinagh’s 10).

In the latest round of action, both won with plenty to spare. Drinagh Rangers hammered Castletown Celtic 9-2, while Clonakilty Soccer Club claimed a convincing 4-0 away win against Drinagh Rangers B.

Drinagh led Castletown 3-2 at half time, with goals from Eoin Hurley, Steven Crowley and Barry O’Driscoll (H), before adding six more after the break. Robbie McQueen fired a 12-minute hat-trick, Mark Grace struck twice in four minutes, and Tom McQueen was also on target. Michael Cahalane and Stephen Moore scored Castletown’s goals.

Clonakilty scored all four of their goals against Drinagh Rangers B in the opening half, with Chris Collins, Rob Downey, James O’Donovan and Joe Edmead all finding the net.

While Clon and Drinagh occupy the top two spots, Togher Celtic are nicely positioned in third place. They trail the leaders by six points but have a game in hand. Last weekend, Robbie Lucey hit a hat-trick as Togher defeated Lyre Rovers 3-1. Donal Buckley pulled a goal back for Lyre with a second-half penalty, but there was no catching Togher, who welcome Drinagh Rangers B on Sunday.

***

The top of the OBrienWaterServices.com WCL Championship is becoming increasingly congested – just one point separates the top three, while only five points cover the top five.

Beara United lead the way on 25 points, but Bunratty United and Bay Rovers are just one point behind, having played more games.

Last weekend, Bunratty hammered Castlelack 7-2. Conor Brosnan hit a hat-trick, Milan Verancombe bagged a first-half double, while Sean Evans and Eoin O’Brien also got on the scoresheet. Liam Ryan replied with two late consolation goals for Castlelack.

Bay Rovers needed a dramatic 96th-minute equaliser from Eoin Bowden – his second goal of the game – as they twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Skibbereen AFC. All the goals arrived in the second half, with Skibb twice hitting the front through JP Reen (penalty) and Conor O’Brien, but Bowden struck back on both occasions.

Skibbereen Celtic, in fifth place, remain firmly in the promotion hunt after a 4-1 home win against Aultagh Celtic. Michael Daniel O’Donovan scored twice, with Adam O’Donovan and Jack O’Brien also on target. Jay O’Shea had levelled for Aultagh B early in the second half before Skibb moved up a gear.

Also, Spartak Mossgrove got the better of Aultagh Celtic with a 3-0 win. Aaron O’Driscoll (penalty), Joe Kenneally (penalty) and Daire McAree were all on target as Spartak leapfrogged Aultagh in the table.