Was this one of the greatest seasons in the West Cork League? KIERAN McCARTHY outlines five reasons why it just might be

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TITLE DRAMA – In the men’s Premier Division and Championship, and the Women’s 7s Premier, the titles were decided on the final day of action in each league, and the U18 Division has also gone to a title play-off! 

So, in the men’s Premier, Drinagh Rangers were crowned champions after beating the defending kingpins, Clonakilty Soccer Club, 3-2 away from home on the final day of the league, to leapfrog Clon and capture the title. We had a three-team race for a long stretch of the season with Togher Celtic firmly in the conversation.

In the women’s Premier, Drinagh Rangers beat their B team 2-0 in their final game to take the number one spot. 

Moving to the men’s Championship, Ardfield took the title by winning their final match of the season – beating Bay Rovers in a unique occasion, more on this shortly – to leapfrog both Bunratty United and Beara United, and clinch the title and promotion!

Also, Aultagh Celtic made history when winning the club’s first-ever Women’s Championship title – another reason to remember this season.

This Friday evening, Bay Rovers and Drinagh Rangers meet in a play-off for the U18 title after they couldn’t be separated in the league phase.

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POWER RANGERS – After watching Clonakilty Soccer Club dominate the West Cork League in recent seasons, including back-to-back Premier Division and Beamish Cup doubles, Drinagh Rangers returned to top spot with a stunning treble-winning season. They captured the Premier Division league title, the Beamish Cup and the Parkway Hotel-Maybury Coaches Cup. 

Winning the league on the final day of the season by dethroning the champions, Clonakilty, in their own backyard was sweet, too. 

Within this success, there were some notable personal achievements. Take a bow, JJ Collins and Barry O’Driscoll (H), the Drinagh legends who can’t stop winning! They have both won NINE league titles, and FIVE Beamish Cups, the first going back to 2007.

Drinagh Rangers celebrate after defeating Clonakilty Soccer Club to win the PremierHiSpecCars.com West Cork League Premier Division. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

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UNUSUAL ENDING – Ardfield’s success this season was one of the stories of the West Cork League. They finished with a double, winning the Championship Cup and then the Championship league title, just missing out on a treble after the Beamish Cup final loss to Drinagh Rangers. But how Ardfield won the Championship will be remembered for a long time. Before Christmas, their league tie away to Bay Rovers was abandoned at half time due to an unplayable pitch, with the home team 2-1 ahead. It just so happened that Ardfield’s final league game of the season was the conclusion of that game, so they had 45 minutes to turn a 2-1 deficit into the win they needed to clinch the title and promotion. They delivered, ultimately triumphing 4-3 after playing the second half.

The Ardfield FC team celebrates after their victory over Bay Rovers AFC in the O'BrienWaterServices.com WCL Championship. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

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DOUBLE DELIGHT – Drinagh Rangers’ women’s A team enjoyed double success, winning the league and the cup. For captain Aisling Connolly, it was a special season, as she won a tenth league title and enjoyed a fifth cup triumph. There was a new format, with the league split in two for the final phase: Premier and Championship. Drinagh Rangers, Beara United, Dunmanway Town, Lyre Rovers and Drinagh Rangers B qualified for the Premier section, with Aultagh Celtic, Sullane, Bandon and Clonakilty United battling it out in the Championship.

Drinagh Rangers' Roisín O'Driscoll battling with Lyre Rovers' Meadhbh Coomey during the WCL Women's Cup final. (Photo: Paddy Feen)

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TOGHER’S TIME – Having pushed Drinagh Rangers and Clonakilty Soccer Club close in the Premier Division title race, Togher Celtic deserved to finish the season with something to show for their efforts. And they did. In late March they beat Drinagh 4-1 to lift the Premier Division Gareth O’Driscoll Cup. Manager Johnny Collins said: ‘It was so important that we got something out of this season just to keep the lads going for next year again.’ Now they have the taste for success, it could spark Togher to go even further next season. That’s good news for the West Cork League after such a competitive season.

Togher Celtic captain Cathal Daly raises the Gareth O'Driscoll Cup. (Photo: Paddy Feen)