2012 WEST CORK MASTERS LEAGUE ROUND-UP
ROUND 8 - Wed July 25th 2012
LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
The race for the 2012 West Cork Masters League sponsored by O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery took another dramatic twist on Wednesday evening writes Ger McCarthy.
O'DONOVAN ON THE MARK FOR VICTORIOUS ARDFIELD
Ardfield 3 Clonakilty AFC 1
Ardfield earned their second league victory of the summer at the expense of Clonakilty AFC following an entertaining local derby in Carrigroe. The home side scored three times in a devastating quarter of an hour spell to seal the points before half time and withstood a gallant Clonakilty fightback in the second period to run out merited 3-1 winners. John Lawless broke the deadlock in the 10th minute after playing a one-two with Gary Smith before shooting beyond the Clonakilty goalkeeper to fire the hosts ahead.
Diarmuid Keohane maintained his impressive scoring record 5 minutes later to double Ardfield's advantage and net his sixth goal of the season. Shane Dunlea released the striker in behind the Clon defence and Keohane made no mistake with an assured finish. Ardfield completed a dominant first half display with a third goal from defensive stalwart Noel O'Donovan who converted from close range. Clonakilty AFC battled hard to get back in the game and finally got on the score sheet after a series of missed opportunities when Kruzzy Ayalla scored to leave the final score Ardfield 3 Clonakilty AFC 1.Shane Dunlea, Paul McShane, Denis O'Donovan and Pearse O'Sullivan stood out for Ardfield with Conall O'Donovan and Kruzzy Ayalla the pick of Clonakilty AFC's best performers.
BIGGEST WIN OF THE SEASON FOR BUNRATTY
Bunratty United 6 Dunmanway Town 1
A depleted Dunmanway Town side proved no match for a rampant Bunratty United with the home side racking up the biggest win of this summer's West Cork Masters League in Schull. 9-man Dunmanway produced a battling display but could do little to prevent Bunratty from recording their fourth victory of the campaign and take United to within touching distance of the league leaders. Ray Kingston opened the scoring after 5 minutes and additional strikes from Peter Duggan and Denis Murphy made it 3-0. A miserable first half for Dunmanway was complete once Derek Whelton added a fourth to end the game as a contest before 30 minutes had elapsed.
Town repelled a series of Bunratty attacks before a brace of goals from Denis Murphy completed a fine individual hat-trick. Robert Oldham netted deserved consolation effort for Dunmanway who must quickly turn their attentions to an upcoming Shield clash with local rivals Castletown Celtic while Bunratty travel to Cloughduv for a crucial league encounter. Larry Sheehan, Micheal Pat Murphy and Cathal Heaps stood out for Bunratty with Richie Collins, Joe O'Donnell and David Hall impressive for Dunmanway.
CASTLETOWN DENT CLON TOWN TITLE HOPES
Castletown Celtic 1 Clonakilty Town 0
Clonakilty Town missed the chance to join Drinagh Rangers at the top of the West Cork Masters League table when Castletown Celtic recorded a 1-0 win at a rain-soaked Castletownkenneigh on Wednesday evening. The visiting side settled quickly with Ger McCarthy denied a certain opener by a terrific Paudie Aherne save. The Castletown net-minder continued to excel and pulled off two further saves from McCarthy and Eamonn Hurley to keep the game scoreless.
Casteltown began to ask questions of Clon's back four and grabbed the lead shortly before half time following a period of sustained pressure. John McGillicuddy reacted quickest to some hesitant defending and netted from close range to send Celtic in 1-0 ahead at the break. Clonakilty completely dominated the second period but continually failed to finish off a succession of attacks in the final third. Time and again the visitors floundered near the Castletown goal through a combination of poor finishing and heroic Celtic defending. Clon's best chance of an equaliser fell to Kevin Kingston but the midfielder's close-range free-kick was saved by an alert Aherne. Barry Buckely was a colossus at the back for the hosts and his expert defending helped Castletown hold on for a 1-0 victory who are now firmly involved in the title shake-up. Barry Buckley, Jerry Nyhan, Paudie Aherne and Joe Gallagher were outstanding for Castletown with Mike Hurley, Micheal Griffin, Willie Griffin and Diarmuid O'Sullivan best for Clonakilty Town.
(TEAM PHOTO OF Castletown ADDED TO GALLERY SECTION).
CHAMPIONS OVERCOME TRICKY ROSS ASSIGNMENT
Cloughduv Celtic 3 Rosscarbery 1
Cloughduv defeated Rosscarbery in a crucial league fixture to close the gap on leaders Drinagh Rangers to 4 points with a game in hand. Celtic were quickly out of the traps as Barry Cullinane connected with a Dermot Crowley corner to push the hosts 1-0 ahead after only 2 minutes had elapsed. Rosscarbery responded well and dominated possession for a time until Cloughduv scored again shortly before the interval thanks to a well taken Donal Collins effort.
The visitors' Geoff Wycherley was brought down in the penalty area minutes into the second period and dusted himself down before converting the resulting spot-kick to leave just a single goal between the sides. Ross pressed forward in search of an equaliser but Donal Collins (now joint-top Masters goalscorer) was on hand to finish off a flowing counter-attack to make it 3-1 and Cloughduv comfortably held on for another vital win. Denis Calnan, Peter Hayes, Noel O'Donoghue and Bart Kerrisk impressed for Rosscarbery while Cloughduv enjoyed excellent displays from Barry Cullinane, Donal Collins and Dermot Crowley.
Drinagh Rangers vs. Skibbereen
POSTPONED - Due to bereavement.
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LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
