Wed 1st August 2012
LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
The 2012 West Cork Masters Shield tournament sponsored by A Cut Above Salon kicks off tonight with two preliminary round ties as well as two crucial re-arranged West Cork Masters League fixtures writes Ger McCarthy.
Wed August 1st
A Cut Above Salon - West Cork Masters Shield Preliminary Round
Dunmanway Town vs. Castletown Celtic (Ref: A. McDermott)
A local derby between Castletown Celtic and Dunmanway Town should get the 2012 West Cork Masters Shield tournament off to a flier in Mohona later this evening. The two sides met in the League only a fortnight ago with Celtic emerging 3-2 winners after a 5-goal classic. Castletown are enjoying a rich vein of form right now having defeated Clonakilty Town 1-0 to move into joint-third in the league standings and should prove formidable opponents for a Dunmanway side struggling for consistency. Town's previous outing resulted in a 6-1 defeat away to Bunratty (although they were severely depleted) but with a full strength squad and the Shield representing their last chance of silverware a surprise home win could be on the cards.
A Cut Above Salon - West Cork Masters Shield Preliminary Round
Clonakilty AFC vs. Courtmacsherry (Ref: T. Minihane)
The winners of the Dunmanway / Castletown tie will have home advantage in the West Cork Masters Shield semi-finals against whoever emerges victorious from the clash of Cloankilty AFC and Courtmacsherry in Ballyvackey. Two of the most fluent footballing sides in the league have struggled for form and especially goals this summer yet a cracking Shield encounter is still anticipated with a chance of making the last four of the competition on offer. The two sides met in Round 6 of the league at the end of June with a 1-1 draw resulting in both Clon and Courtmac's only points of the season thus far. Courtmacsherry demonstrated enough resolve in their recent Masters Cup exit to Clonakilty Town (on penalties) to suggest they will prove too strong for the Ballyvackey club in this tie.
O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery - West Cork Masters League
Drinagh Rangers vs. Skibbereen (Ref: P. McDermott)
Undefeated Masters League leaders Drinagh Rangers return to action after a two-week hiatus to face the side that inflicted their only defeat of the summer thus far, Skibbereen. Canon Crowley Park plays host to a crucial fixture in the title-race with Rangers' 100% record on the line against their local rivals who have improved substantially since the start of the season. Skibb ran out 1-0 winners in the Masters Cup quarter-finals on July 11th and will be hoping for a similar result later this evening. The Drinagh attacking trio of Philip Clifford, Liam Curran and Mike Doolan will need to be at their best to maintain their side's undefeated streak but Skibb's resilience and tightening in defence suggests a draw looks the likeliest outcome from this encounter.
O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery - West Cork Masters League
Cloughduv Celtic vs. Bunratty United (Ref: M. Coakley)
Cloughduv Celtic can go second in the Masters League table with victory over in-from Bunratty United later this evening and maintain the reigning title-holders fading hopes of recording back to back championships. Both sides recorded impressive wins last week in Round 7 of the league with Cloughduv pushed all the way by a determined Rosscarbery before emerging 3-1 victors and Bunratty hammering a depleted Dunmanway 6-1 in Schull. Celtic's desire to keep the pressure on current leaders Drinagh should result in an expected home victory.
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
