West Cork clubs win big in SFAI National Cup and Trophy events

SUPERVALU West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League clubs Castlelack, Clonakilty AFC, Drinagh Rangers and Dunmanway Town have reached the latter stages of this season’s SFAI National Schoolboys Cup and Trophy competitions.

Proof of the WCSSL’s improvement since moving to a calendar-season format is underlined by improved results across the Cork sections of the 2025/26 SFAI National Cup and Trophy competitions.

Going head-to-head against some of the best Cork schoolboys and schoolgirls league clubs, a host of West Cork’s representatives have reached the latter stages of their respective age-grade’s sections.

Emerging from the county and reaching the last 32 in the country (open draw) is now a distinct possibility for a number of the region’s in-form teams.

Cian Afonso’s lone strike earned Clonakilty AFC a 1-0 win over Corinthians A and a place in round four of the SFAI National U14 Schoolboys Cup. Clon will secure their passage to the national stages if they overcome another Corinthians team, Corinthians Boys, next time out.

In the same competition, a fantastic 4-2 victory away to Carrigtwohill earned Dunmanway Town a place in the fourth round. Ben Marchie, Tristan O’Neill Hayes, Patrick Hennigan and Ryan Healy Crowley strikes set up a clash with Carrigaline United at the Meadows, Dunmanway. The winners will progress to the last 32 (national stage) of the U14 Schoolboys Cup.

Castlelack qualified for the fourth round of this season’s SFAI National U15 Schoolboys Cup courtesy of a 4-3 win at home to Rockmount 4-3. Jack Allen stole the headlines by netting all four of his side’s goals.

That victory set up a fourth round trip to Midleton last Saturday. Castlelack produced a battling display before losing 4-1. Jack Allen was the Brinny club’s solitary goal scorer.

Clonakilty AFC Rovers put in a combative third round effort away to Carrigaline before exiting this year’s SFAI U12 National Cup.

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Things are looking equally positive for WCSSL clubs in this season’s SFAI National Trophy competitions.

Castlelack Celtic will host either Corinthian Boys A or Springfield Ramblers for a place in the SFAI U12 Schoolboys National Trophy round of 32. The Brinny club drew 1-1 after extra-time at home to St Mary’s before emerging 4-3 winners on penalties in round three. Simon Crewe was Castlelack’s goal scorer.

Elsewhere, Johnny McCarthy’s goal wasn’t enough to prevent a 5-1 Riverside Athletic defeat at home to Ballincollig in the same competition.

Clonakilty AFC are one more victory away from reaching the SFAI U13 Schoolboys National Trophy’s national stages.

A marvellous 7-1 win away to Valley Rovers was attained courtesy of Sean Kennedy (3), Max O’Keeffe (2), Darragh Hennessy and Aaron Nash goals. The Ballyvackey club will be away to either Carrigtwohill United or Ringmahon Rangers A with a place in the last 32 up for grabs.

Another West Cork club, Drinagh Rangers, also hit seven goals in the SFAI U14 Schoolboys National Trophy. Kingsley Crosby Osagie (2), Charlie Daly (2), Conor Collins, Rory Hurley and Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller scored in the Canon Crowley Park side’s 7-1 second round defeat of Wilton United A in Cork.

Last Sunday, Drinagh travelled to Fermoy for a National Trophy third round clash. Once again, the Canon Crowley Park club underlined their scoring threat by finding the net on six occasions.

Kingsley Crosby Osagie scored twice in as many National Cup ties. Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller also bagged a brace with Rory Hurley and Ryan O’Driscoll also netting to complete a superb 6-2 triumph.

In the same competition, Mogeely FC knocked Riverside Athletic out 5-2 in Mogeely.

Dunmanway Town will host Castleview for a place in the SFAI U15 Schoolboys National Trophy’s national stages.

The WCSSL club qualified for that upcoming fourth round clash following a terrific 6-2 win at home to Corinthian Boys A. Vittor Coutinho (2), Oisin O’Regan (2), Hugh McCarthy and Max Bramoulle were Town’s scorers.

Lyre’s U15 Schoolboys National Trophy ambitions were ended by Carrigaline United A. The latter registered a 2-1 win in Lyre despite Dara Ryan netting for the hosts.