WITH the two Beamish Cup semi-finals forming a double header in Skibbereen this Sunday, we rank the four teams still in the hunt for the most prestigious crown in the West Cork League.

First up at Ollie McCarthy Park, 2025 beaten finalists Ardfield take on Castletown Celtic at 11am, followed by an all-Premier Division showdown between Togher Celtic and Drinagh Rangers at 2pm.

With defending champions Clonakilty Soccer Club knocked out, new kings will take to the throne, but who will it be?

1. DRINAGH RANGERS

In recent weeks, Drinagh have beaten both of their main Premier Division title rivals in what feels like a real statement of intent.

Before defeating Clonakilty Soccer Club 4-1 in the Premier Division Cup semi-final, they dented Togher Celtic’s league ambitions with a 2-1 victory – confidence is understandably high right now. Drinagh also climbed to the top of the league after beating Drinagh Rangers B 3-1 in the past week, and Robert O’Regan’s side know that if they win their final game, against champions Clonakilty, they will reclaim the throne.

They are also chasing a first Beamish Cup title since 2018, and look to be peaking at exactly the right time. Goals have flowed freely – a league-high 51 in 13 Premier Division games, along with 11 more in two Beamish Cup outings. Tom McQueen has led the charge, hitting a hat-trick against Clon and a double against Togher.

Drinagh have rediscovered their rhythm at the business end of the season, and with a core group that has already won the biggest prizes in West Cork football, that experience could prove decisive.

2. TOGHER CELTIC

‘It is important that this group of players wins something because we put a lot of effort in this year and kept the run going,’ Togher manager Johnny Collins said after they qualified for the Premier Division Cup final.

‘We are still on course for a cup double and have Drinagh in both the Premier Cup final and Beamish Cup semi-finals.’

Togher’s intent is clear: they want silverware to reward a campaign in which they have emerged as the main challengers to the established duo of Clonakilty and Drinagh. With a place secured in the Premier Division Cup decider as well as the last four of the Beamish Cup, the opportunity is there to make a serious statement.

There is also an argument that Togher could, perhaps, be ranked number one. After all, they dethroned reigning champions Clonakilty in the quarter-final, winning 3-2 thanks to goals from Cathal Daly, Jamie Lucey and Donnacha Collins. In the opening round, they hammered Skibbereen AFC 7-0, with Paudie Crowley (2), Peter Collins, Cathal Daly, Robbie Lucey and Conor Horgan all finding the net.

However, given Drinagh’s recent 2-1 league win over Togher, Collins’ side may enter this weekend as underdogs – a role that could suit them just fine.

Ardfield's Paul Hodnett has scored four goals in this cup run.

3. ARDFIELD

Will Ardfield get the fairy-tale ending they are chasing? The only Championship club left in the Beamish Cup are proving themselves genuine cup specialists.

Not only are they in the semi-finals here, they have also reached the Championship Cup final, where Beara United await. In the league, Ardfield have moved into promotion contention too, so there is plenty still on the line in the weeks ahead.

Why rank a Championship side ahead of Premier Division outfit Castletown Celtic? The answer lies in Ardfield’s relationship with this competition. Last season they surged all the way to the Beamish Cup final before being denied a famous win by Clonakilty after a thriller – this tournament clearly brings out their best.

Their run this season has been equally convincing. It began with a 5-0 preliminary-round win over Aultagh Celtic B, courtesy of Paul Hodnett (3), Caolan Hayes and Conor Twomey. Next came a 3-1 victory against Beara United, with Sam Linehan, Hodnett and Niall Keane on target. That was followed by goals from Michael Maguire and Colm Hayes in a 2-0 quarter-final win against Skibbereen Celtic. Can they make it back-to-back Beamish Cup finals?

4. CASTLETOWN CELTIC

Relegation from the Premier Division has made for a disappointing league campaign, but the Beamish Cup has provided Castletown Celtic with a welcome distraction – and a genuine opportunity.

While their league form never truly ignited, it has been a different story in knockout football. Their run began with an extra-time thriller against Bay Rovers, winning 5-4 thanks to goals from Conor O’Sullivan (3), Jack O’Callaghan and Sean Bourke. That was followed by a 3-1 quarter-final victory in an all-Premier Division clash with Lyre Rovers, an excellent indicator of Castletown’s quality, as Bourke, Darren Coughlan and Michael O’Driscoll found the net.

Castletown were also Beamish Cup semi-finalists in both 2023 and 2024, meaning they have now reached the last four for the third time in four years. The question is whether they can finally take that next step and book their place in the final.