Round-Up of Cup Quarter-Finals

2012 WEST CORK MASTERS CUP ROUND-UP

1/4 FINALS - Wed July 11th 2012

LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY

CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK

SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON

Their were shocks galore in the quarter-finals of the West Cork Masters Cup sponsored by Bernard Hayes Travel Cork with Drinagh, Clon AFC, Courtmacsherry and Castltown all exiting the competition writes Ger McCarthy.


WEDNESDAY JULY 11TH



SKIBBEREEN KNOCK DRINAGH OUT OF THE CUP

Drinagh Rangers 0 Skibbereen 1

Skibbereen caused a major surprise in the West Cork Masters Cup by knocking the highly-fancied Drinagh Rangers out of the tournament in Canon Crowley Park on Wednesday evening. There was little to separate runaway league-leaders Drinagh and visitors Skibb with an even opening half remaining scoreless until the 20^th minute. Eoghan Daly sent in a pin-point cross and Morgan Hurley leapt highest to plant a header into the back of the net for a 1-0 Skibbereen lead.

Rangers upped the tempo in the second period but were unable to breach a superb Skibb defence despite dominating possession for long periods. The Baltimore Road side comfortably maintained their lead and ran out deserving 1-0 winners to book a place in the last four of the competition. A disappointed Drinagh are left to battle it out for the League and Shield trophies despite the best efforts of David Hourihane, Alan Shorten and Martin Cronin in their cup defeat.

IN-FORM ROSSCARBERY INTO THE LAST FOUR

Castletown Celtic 0 Rosscarbery 2

Rosscarbery continued a night of cup upsets by knocking high-flying Castletown Celtic out of the competition in Castletownkenneigh. A hard-fought opening 20 minutes produced plenty of attractive football with the visitors grabbing a merited lead on the quarter hour. The return of Maurice Moore has added a new dimension to the Ross midfield and the evergreen midfielder broke the deadlock with a perfectly placed free-kick to push Rosscarbery 1-0 in front.

Castletown came roaring back in the second half but struggled in the final third of the pitch allowing a competent Rosscarbery to maintain their slender lead. The visitors created a plethora of opportunities to kill off the tie until a goal of the season contender flew in midway through the second period. Patrick Hurley executed a marvellous first-time volley from just inside Castletown’s half of the pitch which sailed all the way into the roof of the net to secure a 2-0 Rosscarbery victory. Mike Hubbard, Raymond Hayes, Bart Kerrisk and Wayne Howarth were on top form for Rosscarbery with David Forde, John Hillard and Mark Hillard outstanding for Celtic.

CLON TOWN THROUGH AFTER MARATHON SHOOT-OUT

Courtmacsherry 1 Clonakilty Town 1 

* aet Clonakilty won 8-7 on penalties

It took a marathon penalty shoot-out to separate Courtmacsherry and Clonakilty Town in the West Cork Masters Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday night. Two teams committed to attack made for an entertaining encounter with the home side in control in the early exchanges. Courtmac were a constant threat from set-pieces and hit the front from a free-kick midway through the opening half. Neil Sexton’s delivery caused panic in the Clonakilty penalty area and James Black reacted quickest to fire home from close range. The visitors were stung into action with both John Leahy and Eamon Hurley going close either side of half time.

Clonakilty Town continued to pour forward in the second period and looked the more likely to score next. Town were guilty of wasting a series of chances before Ger McCarthy eventually drew the sides level. Courtmac failed to clear a corner and McCarthy walloped an unstoppable effort home (“approx 50 yards out” according to Neil Sexton) after John Nyhan’s initial effort came back off the upright.

Neither side could force a winner so extra time was required to decide the outcome. Clonakilty Town were reduced to 10 men in additional time but Courtmacsherry were unable to capitalise resulting in a penalty shoot-out. Amazingly, the first 14 penalties were all converted until a superb Ger O’Sullivan stop gave Clonakilty Town the opportunity to win the tie. John Nyhan stepped forward and made no mistake with his spot-kick to send his side into the semi-finals after an epic encounter. Best for Courtmacsherry included Norman Fleming, Neil Sexton and Declan Hennessy while Ger O’Sullivan, Mike Hurley and John Leahy were the pick of Clonakilty Town’s top performers.

CLOUGHDUV PROVE TOO STRONG FOR CLON AFC

Cloughduv Celtic 3 Clonakilty AFC 1

Cloughduv Celtic progressed to the last four of the West Cork Masters Cup despite a spirited display from Clonakilty AFC. The home side went 1-0 up with only 5 minutes on the clock when Martin McCarthy finished confidently after collecting a superb Dermot Crowley through ball. To their credit, Clonakilty AFC refused to panic and slowly played their way back into the game before equalising in the 21^st minute. Eaddy Arturivic brought parity to the scoreline and the sides changed ends tied at one apiece.

Celtic were not to be denied however and one of this season’s most prolific goal scorers, Donal Collins, pushed the home side 2-1 in front with a well taken effort. Collins put the seal on a 3-1 Coughduv victory with his second of the tie just 5 minutes from the end to end any hope of a Clonakilty AFC comeback. Best for Cloughduv included Donal Collins, Joe madden and Cathal Hughes with Arthur Davidovitch, Witotl Fracek, Tony Blinston and Eaddy Arturivic impressing for Clonakilty AFC.

REVISED WEST CORK MASTERS CUP SEMI-FINAL DRAW

Skibbereen vs. Cloughduv Celtic in the Baltimore Road

Clonakilty Town vs. Rosscarbery in Darrara

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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