2012 WEST CORK MASTERS LEAGUE PREVIEW
ROUND 9 - Wed 8th August 2012
LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
Drinagh Rangers are on the verge of winning their first ever O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery West Cork Masters League title provided they can negotiate a tricky run-in to the end of the season writes Ger McCarthy.
Wed August 8th
Drinagh Rangers vs. Clonakilty Town - Ref: T. Minihane
Drinagh Rangers are on the brink of claiming their maiden
West Cork Masters League title. Third placed Clonakilty Town travel to Canon
Crowley Park on Wednesday night looking to dent Rangers championship hopes and simultaneously
reignite their own title quest. Without doubt this is the biggest game of the
summer for both sides with Drinagh entering this must win clash on the back of a
perfect 7 wins out of 7. Liam Curran and Mike Doolan have weighed in with 5
goals apiece and will lead the Rangers attack against a Clonakilty side struggling
to recapture their early season form. A disappointing 1-0 defeat away to
Castletown a fortnight ago means nothing but a victory will do for the visitors
on Wednesday night. It should be a cracker but two evenly matched sides are
unlikely to be seperated so a draw looks the likeliest outcome.
Skibbereen vs. Cloughduv Celtic - Ref: A. McDermott
Cloughduv Celtic are in the Baltimore Road ground on Wednesday
to take on Skibbereen in a crunch league encounter which will also act as a
preview to next week’s West Cork Masters Cup semi-final between the same sides.
The visitors’ hopes of retaining the league crown annexed in 2011 looked to be
over following draws against struggling Ardfield and most recently at
Castletown Celtic before impressive wins over Clon Town, Ross and Bunratty got
their season back on track. Skibbereen have struggled for consistency in 2012 with
only 2 wins recorded from their 7 league outings and will no doubt be focusing on
their upcoming Cup encounter with Cloughduv as their only hope of silverware
this summer. Cloughduv have struggled of late but should sneak this one and
keep the pressure on leaders Drinagh heading into the final weeks of the
campaign.
Ardfield vs. Castletown Celtic - Ref: P. Hurley
Castletown Celtic bounced back from their recent shock cup
exit at home to Rosscarbery by holding Cloughduv to a 1-1 draw and defeating
Clon Town 1-0 to move within touching distance of the league leaders. Joe
Gallagher is top of Celtic’s goal scoring charts with 5 while Dan Bailey and
John McGillicuddy have also delivered consistent displays this year. Ardfield will
prove formidable opponents however with the Carrigroe club still on a high
following their second league win of the summer (3-1 vs. Clon AFC) and preparing
for an upcoming Shield semi-final against Bunratty United. This has all the
makings of an entertaining matchup but Castletown’s resilient defence should see
the visitors emerge with all 3 points.
Clonakilty AFC vs. Bunratty United - Ref: P. McDermott
Clonakilty AFC and Bunratty United meet in Ballyvackey with
the visitors anxious to bounce back from their recent narrow 4-3 defeat to
Cloughduv. That result brought an end to the Schull club’s hopes of a top two
finish yet Bunratty still have plenty to play for before the summer is out. Next
week’s Shield semi-final against Ardfield offers hope of reaching a final while
a strong end to their current campaign should result in United’s highest ever league
placing. Clonakilty AFC still await their first league victory despite much
improved performances in the second half of the season. The Ballyvackey club
are always a difficult proposition on their home patch but Bunratty’s greater
firepower up front should see an away victory from this encounter.
Courtmacsherry vs. Rosscarbery - Ref: M Coakley
Courtmacsherry may be propping up the West Cork Masters
League table but Rosscarbery can expect a tough assignment when they visit
Courtmac on Wednesday evening. Ross are the surprise package of the 2012
campaign having reached the last four of the cup after a marvellous 2-0 result
at Castletown Celtic. A 5-2 defeat of Clonakilty AFC and 1-1 draw at home to
Skibb preceded last week’s disappointing 3-1 loss at Cloughduv despite
dominating possession for long spells. Courtmacsherry’s 1-0 victory away to
Clonakilty AFC has setup a semi-final meeting in the Shield with Dunmanway next
week. Rosscarbery will also have one eye on their upcoming last-four encounter
with Clonakilty Town in the cup and take all 3 points here.
CLICK here to view all results in the results section.
CLICK here to view the latest League Table standings in the league table section.
CLICK here to view the latest GOLDEN BOOT standings in the golden boot section.
CLICK here to view next week's fixtures in the fixtures section.
CLICK here to view red and yellow cards handed out during the season in the discipline section.
LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
