AS APPEARED IN THE EVENING ECHO EDITION: Fri 16th July 2010
Cloughduv and Drinagh Rangers recorded their first wins of the 2010 West Cork Over33 League campaign while league leaders Skibbereen drew with Ardfield last Wednesday night.
Drinagh Rangers grabbed their first victory in this summer’s Over33 League - sponsored by O’Brien’s Bar Rosscarbery - thanks to a virtuoso performance from star striker Mike Doolan. The Canon Crowley Park club defeated Clonakilty AFC 4-1 with Doolan notching a hat-trick and Martin Cronin also getting on the score-sheet. Jasik Dzidowski replied for the AFC for whom Michael O’Mahony and Tom Houlihan impressed. Mike Doolan, Phil Allison and Brian McCarthy were the pick of Drinagh’s top players.
Cloughduv overcame the challenge of Rosscarbery after a five goal thriller in Crookstown to record their first win of the season. Mervin Beasley bagged a brace for the home side which included a converted penalty and a 30 yard screamer. John O’Shea completed Cloughduv’s total and Rosscarbery narrowly lost out 3-2 despite exceptional efforts from Geoff Wycherley and Gordon O’Dwyer. Johnny Fitzpatrick, Vince Hayes, John O’Regan and Eugene Daly were the pick of Ross’s best performers with Declan O’Dwyer and John O’Shea catching the eye for Cloughduv.
League leaders Skibbereen 100% record was finally halted by a dogged Ardfield side that came from 2-0 down to earn a merited 2-2 draw in the Baltimore Road. Michael McCarthy broke the deadlock for Skibb in the 5th minute and the home side held their lead until the interval. Ger Murray doubled Skibbereen’s advantage minutes into the second period with a fine volley following a frantic goalmouth scramble. Ardfield pulled one back through an unstoppable Noel O’Donovan free-kick midway through the second half and Jonathan O’Donovan completed a remarkable comeback for the Carrigroe club with a header to make it 2-2. Ardfield’s best players included Jonathan O’Donovan, Damien Dooley and a super performance from Diarmuid Keohane. Skibbereen stay top of the standings despite dropping 2 crucial points thanks to the efforts of Liam Hurley, Shane O’Brien and Eoghan O’Driscoll.
Dunmanway Town and Courtmacsherry failed to close the gap on the front-runners following a 0-0 stalemate in the Race Field. Town goalkeeper Brian Collins produced an inspired performance between the sticks for the hosts along with outfield players Cathal Kelleher and Fachtna Collins. William Madden, James Black and Norman Fleming were the pick of Courtmacsherry’s best performers. The two sides will cross swords again in the preliminary round of the A Cut Above West Cork Shield tournament next Wednesday.
Clonakilty Town can close the gap on Skibbereen at the top of the table to a single point if they overcome the challenge of Castletown Celtic in Ardfield in their next fixture.
O’Brien’s Bar Rosscarbery West Cork Over33 League Results
Matchday 8 – Wed July 14
Cloughduv 3 Rosscarbery 2, Drinagh Rangers 4 Clonakilty AFC 1, Dunmanway Town 0 Courtmacsherry 0, Skibbereen 2 Ardfield 2
Thurs July 15
Castletown Celtic vs. Clonakilty Town in Ardfield
Matchday 9 – Wed July 21
A Cut Above West Cork Over33 Shield Fixtures
Preliminary Round: Courtmacsherry vs. Dunmanway Town in Courtmacsherry
Ger McCarthy
A big thanks to the sponsors of the 2010 West Cork Over33 Tournaments:
The West Cork Over33 League is kindly sponsored by O'Briens Bar, Rosscarbery.
The West Cork Over33 Cup is kindly sponsored by Bernard Hayes Travel, Cork.
The West Cork Over33 Shield is kindly sponsored by A Cut Above, Clonakilty.
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