ON the same weekend Drinagh Rangers men’s team reclaimed the Premier Division title, so too did the club’s women’s A side to bolster the club’s honours list.

Drinagh’s women’s A side set the tone with a 2-0 win over their own second team in Canon Crowley Park on Saturday to seal their second title in three seasons.

Goals from Rachel O’Donovan and Lorraine O’Neill secured the silverware in an in-house decider.

For manager Mike Doolan, in charge of both Drinagh teams, he was in a unique position.

‘It was mixed emotions because both Drinagh teams could have won the league depending on other results,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘Being manager of both teams, you have mixed feelings. One team is going to win and the other is going to lose out. For consistency, the Drinagh A team were the best team to win the league.

‘It’s like every week, you pick your two strongest teams. My team talk before the game was “girls, it depends who’s hungrier for the victory on the night.” All you can do is use your subs when you get the chance.

‘I enjoy managing. I used to train the men’s team as well. The effort from the women to come to training is great. Every night, you have nearly 20 there at the astro between the two teams. It’s phenomenal. Every week, there is a hunger to play soccer.’

There was no doubting Drinagh’s credentials. In the regular campaign, they won seven of their nine games, scoring 28 goals and conceding none.

Even after the league split into Premier and Championship sections, their form held firm. Drinagh won two of their final four matches, scoring five goals and conceding just once – a remarkable defensive record across 13 games.

‘That goal wasn’t even from open play. It was from a free kick. We are fairly proud of that record. Every player has been absolutely magnificent this year,’ Doolan said.

‘The one thing about coaching the girls is they want to get better. They listen. Between the two teams, we have 35 players registered and 27 turned up on Saturday night. Every one of them wants to improve. There are no egos on either team. It’s easy to manage players like that.’

Captain and goalkeeper Aisling Connolly was central to the success, collecting her tenth league title with the club.

‘It’s a fabulous achievement from Aisling. She has been a rock of the club for years,’ Doolan added.

‘I don’t pick the captains, I let the players decide, and Aisling was a landslide winner. That tells you how highly respected she is. She’s there every week and very consistent. This season, she has pulled off some magnificent saves.’

With a Women’s Cup final against Lyre Rovers to come on April 5th, Drinagh’s season could yet get even better.

The club’s production line also remains strong, with underage teams at U12, U14 and U16 levels feeding into the senior setup.

‘Hopefully, in time, the U18 girls will be back. There might be a small gap until the next group comes through,’ Doolan said.

‘Ideally, we’d like to move from astro back to 11-a-side on grass, but without the astro facilities, a lot of women in West Cork wouldn’t have a league at all. We’re grateful to Bantry, Dunmanway and Drinagh for providing those pitches.

‘This is a very well-run club. A lot of ex-players are involved and it’s a young committee. There’s a real drive to keep improving. That can only help the West Cork League for both men and women.’