Thurs 2nd 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 1 Castletown Celtic 0 - after extra time
Dunmanway Town gained sweet revenge for their recent league defeat to Castletown Celtic by knocking their local rivals out of the West Cork Master Shield tournament in Mohona on Wednesday night. Both goalkeepers acquitted themselves well during a keenly fought opening half and neither side was able to conjure up a goal during the second 30 minute period resulting in extra time. It took a fine John Collins header to seperate the sides and with Castletown unable to breach a Dunmawnay defence - expertly marshaled by goalkeeper Rob Oldham - the Mohona club held on for a deserved victory and book a Shield semi-final date with Courtmachserry later this month.Kevin Hurley, Kieran O'Leary and John Collins were best for Dunmanway with John McGillicuddy, Barry Buckley, Paudie Condon and Paudie Aherne on top form for Celtic.
A Cut Above Salon - West Cork Masters Shield Preliminary Round
Clonakilty AFC 0 Courtmacsherry 1
A solitary strike proved enough to earn Courtmachserry a spot in the last four of the West Cork Masters Shield tournament following an even encounter at Ballyvackey. A cagey opening half brought little in the way of goalmouth action and eventually finished scoreless despite the best efforts of two attack minded sides.The visitors posed a constant threat from dead balls and grabbed the tie's only goal 10 minutes into the second period from a free-kick. Sean Deasy found the net with a terrific shot and that effort proved enough to earn Courtmacsherry a semi-final berth. Best for the visitors included Martin Curran, Paul Smith and Brian Whelton.
O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery - West Cork Masters League
Drinagh Rangers 1 Skibbereen 0
If Drinagh Rangers go on to claim a first ever West Cork Masters League title they may well look back on this narrow victory over their age-old rivals as the defining moment of their campaign.The pressure was on the Canon Crowley Park side to deliver a seventh consecutive win and atone for their recent Cup exit at the hands of a rejuvenated Skibbereen in Canon Crowley Park on Wednesday evening. Rangers' Martin Cronin and Colm McCarthy each wasted decent opportunities to break the deadlock and Skibbereen's defence remained solid before the sides changed ends tied at 0-0.
A hard-hitting encounter looked to be heading for a goalless draw until Drinagh grabbed a dramatic winner seven minutes from the end. Mike Doolan released Danny O'Driscoll in behind the Skibbereen back four and the Rangers player was brought down inside the box resulting in the award of a penalty. David Hourihane coolly dispatched the ensuing spot-kick to earn Drinagh their seventh consecutive victory of the campaign leaving the destination of this summers' title in the Canon Crowley Park club's hands. Shane O'Neill, Martin Cronin and Keiran Hourihane were the pick of Rangers' best players while Pat Connolly, Fachtna Connolly and John Hamilton stood out for Skibbereen.
O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery - West Cork Masters League
Cloughduv Celtic 4 Bunratty United 3
Cloughduv Celtic will not relinquish their West Cork Master League title without a fight if the manner in which they saw off the dogged challenge of Bunratty United is anything to go by. Two of the most consistent sides in this summer's league served up a 7-goal classic which Celtic edged 4-3 to move into second place in the league standings. In-form Bunratty hit the front early on with Michael Pat Murphy finding the net before the Masters Golden Boot leading scorer Donal Collins equalised shortly after with an assured finish. Collins pushed Cloughduv in front with a second strike midway through the opening half and the home side deservedly went in 2-1 ahead at the break.
An exciting game continued to ebb and flow with chances coming at both ends of the pitch before United's Derek Whelton drew the sides level for a second time shortly after the interval. that was Cloughduv's signal to move up a gear and the reigning title-holders scored twice in as many minutes with Donal Collins completing his hat-trick and Dermot Crowley edging Celtic 4-2 ahead. Bunratty continued to press forward and Bryan Regan glanced home Nick Cole's free-kick to setup a grandstand finale. There were no further goals however and Cloughduv held on for a crucial 4-3 win to move within 4 points of leaders Drinagh Rangers.
Best for Cloughduv included Donal Collins, Dermot Crowley and Martin McCarthy while Jeremy Brosnan, Peter Duggan and Larry Sheehan shone for a battling Bunratty United.
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
