TOGHER Celtic are the new outright leaders of the PremierHiSpecCars.com Premier Division as this three-team title race hits the home straight.

On a Sunday that saw reigning champions Clonakilty Soccer Club drop points in a 3–3 draw with mid-table Lyre Rovers, Togher showed they can handle the pressure with a 7–0 demolition of Drinagh Rangers B.

Luke Hurley hit a hat-trick, while Donnacha Collins, Paudie Crowley, Brian Horgan and Cathal Daly were also on target as Togher turned a 2–0 half-time lead into a seven-goal triumph. The result pushes them two points clear of Clon at the summit and three ahead of third-placed Drinagh Rangers, who weren’t in action.

Both Clon and Drinagh have a game in hand on Togher, but the leaders will face both of their title rivals in their remaining fixtures – at home to Drinagh and away to Clonakilty – so they are in charge of their own destiny.

Three-in-a-row chasing Clonakilty must play Togher and Drinagh, as well as Castletown Celtic, while Drinagh have huge games against the top two along with a clash against Drinagh Rangers B. This one is going down to the wire.

The top two, Togher and Clon, meet this Sunday in a Beamish Cup quarter-final – a chance to book a semi-final spot and also strike a psychological blow ahead of a huge Premier Division showdown.

Elsewhere last weekend, in the OBrienWaterServices.com Championship, Ardfield beat Castlelack 3–0, while Skibbereen won their derby, beating Skibbereen Celtic 2–0.

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In the Fusion Home Decor WCL Women’s 7s League, the season has split into two sections: Premier and Championship. In the Premier, the top five teams so far – Dunmanway Town, Drinagh Rangers, Lyre Rovers, Beara United and Drinagh Rangers B – will all play each other once, with the winner crowned champions.

The four teams in the Championship – Aultagh Celtic, Bandon, Clonakilty United and Sullane – will also face one another.

In the Premier last weekend, goals from Lorraine O’Neill and Aine Collins helped Drinagh Rangers beat Beara United 2–0. Dunmanway Town defeated Drinagh Rangers B 4–2 thanks to goals from Ellen Healy (2), Claire McSweeney and Rachel Kingston, while Kellie Doolan was on target for Drinagh B.