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The formation of the first ever West Cork Over33’s Soccer League, Cup and Shield competitions to be run throughout the summer months was announced in Clonakilty in May 2009.
Diarmuid Keohane and Noel O'Donovan, members of Ardfield FC - who ply their trade in the West Cork League – came up with the idea of a new soccer competition to fill the void during the summer months until the West Cork League returns in August. There is definitely a huge appetite for summer soccer if the recent success of Clonakilty AFC’s indoor Over35’s League and Samba Cup competitions is anything to go by.
FLEDGLING
The fledgling Over33’s league was initially targeted at the 35+ age group but it was agreed after a series of meetings that clubs would have a better chance of regularly fielding full squads if the age limit was dropped to 33. The organisers hoped clubs would approach the tournament in a serious manner but that games would still be played in a friendly and fun environment.
Teams entering the 2009 league and knockout cup competitions were drawn from the Ardfield, Clonakilty AFC, Clonakilty Town, Rosscarbery FC, Skibbereen, Drinagh Rangers, Courtmacsherry and Dunmanway Town West Cork based clubs. The league initially concentrated on clubs within a short travelling distance in its inaugural season due to increase in transport costs.
KICK OFF
The big event kicked off on Tuesday evening May 26th 2009 – the night before the Champions League Final – before reverting to a regular Wednesday night slot for the remainder of the summer. All playing rules were covered under the WCL & FAI rulebook. Games were tentatively scheduled to kick off at 7.30pm and to be one hour (30 minutes a side) in duration.
Squads were to be made up of 11 outfield players with 5 ‘rolling substitutes’ i.e. a substitute can replace an outfield player once cleared with the match official throughout the 60 minutes. The West Cork Referees also came on board to officiate at each league and cup fixture throughout the inaugural campaign.
SPONSORS
O'Brien’s Bar in Rosscarbery kindly agreed to sponsor the Over33’s League and Bernard Hayes Travel sponsored the Over33’s Cup. A Cut Above Salon in Clonakilty sponsored the Over33’s Shield Competition.
The Over33 Soccer League proved so successful in its first year that the competition looks set to become an annual event. Increased coverage of the summer league has since helped attract more clubs and in turn additional sponsorship to meet the administration and running costs.
GMC
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