2012 WEST CORK MASTERS LEAGUE ROUND-UP
ROUND 6 - Wed July 4th 2012
LEAGUE SPONSORED BY: O'BRIEN'S BAR, ROSSCARBERY
CUP SPONSORED BY: BERNARD HAYES TRAVEL, CORK
SHIELD SPONSORED BY: A CUT ABOVE SALON
Round 6 of the West Cork Masters League sponsored by O'Brien's Bar Rosscarbery saw Drinagh Rangers open up a 6 point gap at the top of the table writes Ger McCarthy.
WEDNESDAY JULY 4TH
DRINAGH JUGGERNAUT CONTINUES APACE
Courtmacsherry 0 Drinagh Rangers 4
Drinagh Rangers extended their lead at the top of the West Cork Masters League to 6 points following a 4-0 win away to Courtmacsherry. The home side proved more than a match for their title-chasing opponents during a tight opening 30 minutes and deservedly went in tied 0-0 at the interval. Drinagh quickly took control of the fixture just minutes after the restart when William O’Donovan fired home from the edge of the penalty area to push the Canon Crowley Park club in front. Courtmacsherry barely had time to recover from the concession of that opening goal when Rangers netted a second after Martin Cronin’s effort deflected into the net off an unfortunate Courtmac player.
A sixth consecutive league win was secured when Colm McCarthy netted twice in the final ten minutes to round off a 4-0 Drinagh success. The Canon Crowley Park club are firmly in the driving seat and in control of their own title destiny with three (home) crunch fixtures against Cloughduv, Clonakilty Town and Skibbereen looming on the horizon. Martin Cronin, Shane O’Neill and Colm McCarthy stood out for Rangers while Declan Hennessey, Simon Locke and Neil Sexton were the pick of a battling Courtmacsherry’s top performers.
EMPHATIC ROSSCARBERY GAIN FIRST WIN OF THE CAMPAIGN
Rosscarbery 5 Clonakilty AFC 2
It has been a long time coming but Rosscarbery’s (overdue) first victory of the West Cork Masters summer campaign finally arrived at Carrigroe last Wednesday evening. Clonakilty AFC provided Ross’s opposition on the night and were equal to the home side for much of the game until the closing stages of a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Despite the best efforts of two committed sides the opening half ended scoreless until a deluge of goals arrived during an action packed second period.
Sean Hearne fired Ross in front but Tom Houlihan brought parity to the score line shortly afterwards. Geoff Wycherley restored Rosscarbery’s lead with a well-taken effort but missed the chance go 3-1 in front when Renaldas Poctvicius saved a penalty. The Clonakilty AFC goalkeeper’s heroics inspired his teammates and Conal O’Donovan netted to tie the score for a second time at 2-2. Rosscarbery found another gear midway through the second period and managed to pull away in the closing stages, scoring three times to secure a 5-2 win. A fine Noel O’Donoghue effort pushed the hosts in front, then Mike Keohane converted a spot-kick before Geoff Wycherley connected with Maurice Moore cross to complete the winners’ total. Noel O'Donoghue, Enda Favier, Raymond Hayes and Geoff Wycherley caught the eye for Rosscarbery with Renaldas Poctvicius, Conal O’Donovan and Derek DeLacey the pick of Clonakilty AFC’s best players.
SKIBBEREEN BACK ON TRACK
Skibbereen 2 Ardfield 0
Skibbereen proved too strong for Ardfield in the Baltimore Road and ran out merited 2-0 winners to move up into fifth place in the league standings. The sides clashed for the second time in as many weeks following Skibb’s recent West Cork Masters Cup triumph on penalties over the Carrigroe club. A brisk opening to proceedings produced some excellent football on Wednesday evening and Skibbereen capitalised on their positive start to break the deadlock on the quarter hour. Ger Murray sprung the Ardfield offside trap and raced clear before slotting home to hand his side an early advantage. The Baltimore Road club completed a 2-0 victory ten minutes into the second half courtesy of a marvellous dipping effort from Billy Flaherty. Johny Hamilton, Morgan Hurley and PJ Collins were best for Skibbereen while Ardfield enjoyed positive displays from Shane Crowley, Liam Dawson and Bernard Hayes.
CASTLETOWN EARN LOCAL BRAGGING RIGHTS
Dunmanway Town 2 Castletown Celtic 3
Mohona hosted a 5-goal thriller between local rivals Dunmanway Town and Castletown Celtic during the week with the visitors eventually coming out on top 3-2. The sides couldn’t be seperated following an evenly fought first half with the in-form Kevin Hurley cancelling out Steve McLoughlin’s opener for Castletown. Dunmanway Town’s Hurley netted his second after the break to become the current leader in the West Cork Masters Golden Boot standings (top scorer) but his sterling individual efforts were not enough to earn the home side a victory. Castletown Celtic’s Kevin Clarke netted in the 42nd minute and a Gordon Anderson goal 7 minutes from time secured an impressive 3-2 win. John Collins, Kevin Hurley and Noel O’Donovan impressed for Dunmanway with Jerry Nyhan, John McGillicuddy and Steve McLoughlin outstanding for Castletown Celtic.
Cloughduv Celtic vs. Bunratty United
Postponed due to bereavement
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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
