ROUND3 - Wed June 6th 2012
LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
Round 3 of the West Cork Masters League sponsored by O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery is in the books following another exciting evening's action writes Ger McCarthy.
After three rounds of fixtures Clonakilty Town and Drinagh Rangers lead the way as joint-leaders at the summit of the standings with each side having recorded three consecutive victories. Cloughduv Celtic also enjoy a 100% record having played a game less than the front-runners with Skibbereen and Castletown Celtic still unbeaten.
Ardfield 1 Drinagh Rangers 4
Match of the week took place in Carrigroe where Ardfield hosted an in-form Drinagh Rangers. The home side broke the deadlock after 20 intense minutes when a Shane O'Connell cross was met by a powerful Diarmuid Keohane header to fire Ardfield 1-0 in front. Rangers responded positively and were level 5 minutes after falling behind when summer signing Philip Clifford reacted quickest to a rebound and finished from close range. The sides changed ends tied at 1-1 before Mike Doolan got off the mark for 2012 with a typical predatory finish in a crowded penalty area. Doolan underlined his quality with a superb second strike shortly afterwards by evading the Ardfield back four before firing low into the net to make it 3-1. Liam Curran maintained his terrific start to the season with his third goal in as many games to complete the scoring and cement a merited 4-1 victory for Drinagh Rangers. The Canon Crowley Park club remain undefeated after three rounds and look every inch title contenders even at this early stage of the season. Best for Drinagh included Shane O'Neill, Martin Cronin and Philip Clifford with Diarmuid "Super" Keohane, Damian Dooley and Alec Butler in top form for Ardfield.
Clonakilty Town 3 Clonakilty AFC 0
Clonakilty Town earned the local bragging rights with a 3-0 win at home to Clonakilty AFC in Darrara. Town have now won all three league games by the same winning margin and are in pole position to launch a sustained title bid. Clonakilty AFC gave a good account of themselves on Wednesday night but lacked a scoring threat which allowed the home side control the tempo for much of the opening period. Karl Kurowski netted his third goal in two games to fire Clon Town ahead before Pat Walsh made it 2-0 from close range after good approach play from Eamon Hurley. Malcolm Harte capitalised on some sloppy defending to extend Clon Town's lead to 3-0 and secure the points just minutes before the interval. Clonakilty AFC improved significantly in the second half and only a superb Ger O'Sullivan double-save denied a George Birlea free-kick and rebound. Both sides wasted a plethora of chances before Clonakilty Town ran out deserving 3-0 winners on the back of impressive displays from Pat Walsh, Keith Collins and Kevin Kingston. Best for Clonakilty AFC included David Neyan, Kurt Ponton, Chris Connor and George Birlea.
Bunratty United 0 Skibbereen 0
It finished scoreless between Bunratty United and Skibbereen in Schull following an evenly fought local derby. Defences were in top for much of the fixture with the visitors enjoying the better of the opening 30 minutes and forcing Bunratty goalkeeper Ken O'Sullivan into a string of important saves. United created a succession of chances after the interval with a Ray Kingston effort that cannoned back off the upright turning out to be their best opportunity of a winner. It finished 0-0 with Denis Murphy, Gary O'Callaghan and Brian Hayes the pick of Bunratty's top performers and Ivan Kingston,Patrick Murray and Billy Flaherty outstanding for Skibbereen.
Dunmanway Town vs. Courtmacsherry
Despite the best efforts of the Courtmacsherry management the visiting side to Mohona were unable to field a team on Wednesday evening resulting in a walkover victory (and first 3 points of the season) to Dunmanway Town.
Castletown Celtic 3 Rosscarbery 1
Castletown Celtic recorded their first league victory of the campaign at home to an understrength Rosscarbery in Castlekennigh. Ross produced a battling display throughout a difficult opening half but fell behind to a Dan Bailey opener just after the quarter hour mark. Celtic comfortably held on to their lead until the interval and the points were secured once Kevin Clark doubled the home side's lead 5 minutes into the second period. There was still time for Dan Bailey to net his second strike of the night before Rosscarbery's Sean Hearne scored a richly deserved consolation effort right on full time. It finished 3-1 to Castletown Celtic for whom Jerry Nyhan, Dan Bailey and Kevin Clark excelled. Damien Murphy, Donal Santry and Ger Collins stood out for Rosscarbery.
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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
