Cup Roundup
All of the Cup and Shield competitions are now at the latter stages in the C.C.F.L, with the first of the finals down for decision next weekend and further finals to be played every weekend until the end of the season.
Combined Counties Cup
In the Combined Counties Cup, the big cup prize in the C.C.F.L, three of the four semi finalists are now known.
C.K United, a team that have a fine recent record in this competition have battled through to the semi final following victories over Grange United, Gentex, Rosenallis and Gallen United. In the semi final they will meet the holders Mullingar Athletic who overcame a strong Arlington side in the quarter final at the weekend.
Monksland United who took out previous winners Clara Town and Mountmellick along the way are also through and they will meet either the favourites Willow Park or the Division 2 side Dynamoe Town from Portlaoise who shocked the soccer world when they knocked out Saint Peters in the fourth round.
Paddy Cotter Cup
This much sought after Cup is also down to the last four with the two semi finals pencilled in for next Sunday afternoon.
In the all Senior Division clash Monksland take on Arlington. Both these sides have done really well this season. Monksland will start as slight favourites following their recent impressive form that has them in two cup semi finals and well positioned to take third place in the Senior Division. Arlington however have secured their place in the Senior Division for another season with something to spare, and would love to cap off a fine campaign with a place in a Cup final.
The other semi final pits Mullingar Athletic against Melville United. The Mullingar men are firm favourites to lift this cup having already accounted for Willow Park in the quarter finals. Melville on the other hand are having a really good season. They are odds on to take runners up place in the Premier Division and have also qualified for their own Divisional Cup final.
Billy Hyland Premier Division Cup
The Premier Division Cup Final promises to be a cracker with arguably the two strongest teams in the Division going head to head in the final.
League leaders Gallen United secured their place in the final following a 2-1 win over Derry Rovers on Saturday evening last. They had already accounted for C.K United and Shinrone.
Melville United will be no pushovers however in the final. They looked very impressive in their 2-0 semi final success over Willow Park B on Sunday and will not be found wanting in the final.
Michael Dolan Division 1 Cup
This competition will have a team from Division 1 Sunday up against a team from Division 1 Saturday. Grange United have already booked their place in the final after overcoming Camlin United in the Semi Final having previously seen off the challenge of Division 1 Sunday runners up Sradbally Town.
They will face stiff opposition in the final though in the form of either Abbeyleix Athletic or Tullamore. Abbeyleix claimed the Division 1 title on Sunday with a nervy 2-1 win over Ballinahown, while Tullamore have already consolidated third place in the Division.
Dennis Delaney Division 2 Cup
This final will take place next Saturday evening between two sides that have belied their lowly league positions to battle through to the final. This is especially true in the case of Kilcormac United who put Moate Celtic, Coolraine and Ballybrittas to the sword on their way to the final. Birr Town seconds will start as slight favourites however. They have a very mobile skilful young team who looked very impressive in their semi final victory over Walsh Island.
Oliver Ward Division 3 Cup
It will be Division 3A versus Division 3B in the final of this one when Clara Town seconds will lock horns with Edenderry Town B in what will certainly be another well contested affair.
Clara look particularly strong and will go into the game clear favourites. In the previous rounds they had little difficulty seeing off the challenges of Lawrencetown, Milnore Rovers, Ballycumber and Grange United.
On the other hand Edenderry were impressive in their route to the final with well deserved victories over Saint Aengus, Melville Celtic, BBFC and Rochfortbridge and will not be travelling to make up the numbers.
Red Shop Division 4 Cup
Again this final will be a battle between Division 4A and 4B. The two teams currently in third place in both Divisions Emo Celtic and Derry Rovers will face off against each other in another interesting tie. Both sides had to work very hard to get to the final with Derry Rovers putting out long time Division 4B leaders East End Celtic along the way and Emo dispatching Division 4B champions Frankford United on their journey.
Saturday Divisions Cup
This Cup competition for all teams that play their football on a Saturday has drawn up another strong final with in form Boro Celtic up against Longford Town side Camlin United. On current form Boro will probably start favourites in the final next Saturday evening. They were very strong in their semi final victory over Ballymahon and have chalked up some notable league successes over the past few weeks.
Camlin are a very competitive side however having already seen off Colmcille Celtic, Inny FC and Granard Celtic to reach the final.
Combined Counties Shield
This competition for teams in all five Divisions 3 and 4 has already one team in the final. Grange United B defeated Killavilla United B last week to set up a final against either Midlands Celtic or the all conquering Clara Town B who play next Sunday.
Ita Farrell Under 17 Cup
League champions Killavilla United have already booked their place in the final courtesy of a thrilling 3-2 win over Tullamore in the semi final last Saturday. They will meet either Mullingar Athletic or Newbridge Town in what promises to be another high quality semi final in Edenderry next Saturday.
CCFL Youths Cup
This prestigious competition is at the semi final stage with the novel pairing in one of these pitting Mullingar Athletic’s 17’s against their Under 18 team. The 17’s were really good in their quarter final victory over Clongowes Wood and will put it up to their big brothers, but the extra strength and experience of the 18’s who are one win away from claiming their league should be enough to get them to the final.
The other semi final has a very strong looking Tullamore A team battling it out with Newbridge Town 17’s. The Tullamore men actually opted to compete in the Under 19 Division this season even though they are actually an under 18 team, and they are poised to take that title. Just like the first game the extra year should make the difference and see Tullamore through.
CCFL Under 19 Division
This final takes place in Tullamore next Saturday afternoon and promises to be a real humdinger as Edenderry Town and Abbeyleix Athletic face off against each other in what promises to be another good quality final. Edenderry are still in with an outside chance of making it a league and cup double, but will be anxious to claim at least some silverware in this game. Likewise Abbeyleix who were at the business end of the League all season, but eventually dropped back to third.
