Roundup Week 10
National Cup competitions took the limelight at the weekend and C.C.F.L clubs in the FAI Junior Cup did the League proud with St Peters, Willow Park, Mullingar Athletic, Clara Town and C.K United all advancing to the third round of the competition.
C.K United can be particularly delighted with their achievement. They travelled to Wexford and took the scalp of Gorey Rangers who play in the Wexford top Division. It finished 2-1 in favour of the Tullamore men with Eddie Keenahan grabbing both C.K’s goals.
Well done also to Mullingar Town who advanced to the next round of the LFA over 35 Cup after beating AUL side Kill Celtic by two goals to nil. Mark Gaye was the star man for the Mullingar men with both goals in an overall fine team performance.
There was only one Senior Division game played on Sunday and it saw Arlington continue their outstanding unbeaten run with a 2-1 win over Gallen United. Arlington led two nil at the interval with goals from Joe Gorman and Seanie McMahon, but Gallen fought back strongly in the second half only to come up just short.
With C.K not playing in the league on Sunday, it gave the chasing pack the opportunity to make up some ground. Mullingar Athletic capitalised most by winning 3-1 away to Stradbally. However the chances of Abbeyleix making a move now look remote after they were held to a two all draw by Rosenallis. Podge Lawlor and Willie Bowen scored for the Abbeyleix men, but a succession of missed chances prevented them from taking all three points.
In Division 1 Shinrone continue to set the pace. They had to be happy with a point on their trip to Gracefield however when a goal from Jack Cunningham gave the home team a share of the spoils.
In the Westmeath derby ghame Ballinahown and Moate Celtic played out a very entertaining two all draw in Ballinahown with Cian Brady and Conor Rohan finding the net for the hosts.
Division 1 Saturday threw up another interesting sequence of results on Saturday, none more so than Boro Celtic’s 3-0 win over neighbours Dynamoe Rooskey. This result keeps the Lanesborough men well in the hunt for honours. Henry Kenny and Mike Morrissey had given Boro an interval lead before James Hanley finished off the job in the second half from the penalty spot after Derek Murray had been brought down in the area.
In Division 3A Ballybrittas made a significant move to the top of the table after they defeated Clonminch Rovers by three goals to two in a hard fought game in Rath. Shane Mullins bagged two for the Laois men with Darren Fowler chipping in with the third all in the first half before the Tullamore outfit staged a spirited comeback in the second half.
Division 4A is now looking like one of the most exciting divisions in the entire league. Long time leaders and favourites to win the title Abbeyleix Athletic were held again to a one all draw by in form Portarlington Town. Mark Kirwan had given the Abbeyleix men an early advantage, but Port were not to be denied something from the game when Colin Lennon turned in a shot from Chris Booth. Portarlington had a goal disallowed in the second half and Alan Glass also hit the woodwork for the home team, but it finished one apiece.
Maryborough’s fine run of results came to a shuddering halt against St Aengus with the Portlaoise lads going down by four goals to two. Seamus Lawless was the Maryborough goalscorer.
Tower Hill Rovers moved into mid table with a solid 2-0 victory over Stradbally seconds. Sean Cotter fired home both Rovers goals, but it was by no means a one-man show as Sean Egan, Mattie Meaney, Paddy Downey, Danny Murphy and Paddy Lalor all gave sterling performances.
In Division 4B it is a lot less close with Raharney now well clear at the top of the table following their 4-1 win over nearest challengers Killoe.
St Carthages are also moving nicely up the table. They enjoyed a 5-1 win on Sunday over a gallant Kilcormac United side. Willie Clear, Wesley Rosney (2), Sean Rosney and Jesse Morris were on target for Carthages.
In underage action Willow Park move relentlessly on in the Under 17 Division. A 7-0 drubbing of Emo Celtic confirmed their favourites tag. Rosenallis lost some ground in their attempt to keep pace with Willow when they drew three all at home to Longford Town. Daingean Town remain at the top of the table though follwing an easy win over bottom side Portumna Town. Paddy Downey, Ryan Cleary and Ben Dunne all scored in their 5-0 win.
Newbridge Town remain in pole position in the Under 18 Division after they accounted for Tullamore Town 3-0. Dylan McDermott, Jamie Evans and Joe Darcy all scored for a confident looking Newbridge side who still have to play all of their closest rivals in this division.
In the under 19 Division Tullamore scored a very important 1-0 win over leaders Mullingar Athletic in Leah Victoria Park. McDaragh O’Neill scored the all important goal midway through the second half for a Tullamore side that were well in control more most of the game in spite of missing a few regulars. Under 16 player Shane Tierney had an outstanding game for Tullamore.
In the Womens Division there were three games played at the weekend and they resulted in victories for all three away teams. Mullingar Athletic and Killeigh won on their travels on Sunday, while Tullamore won 3-0 away to Clara Town on Saturday. In a great team performance Tullamore took the lead through Ali Lenehan following a lovely passing movement. Richelle O’Neill scored directly from a corner to make it two nil soon after and Ciara Neville made certain of the points in the second half for Tullamore who thanks to a very solid defence were never really troubled at the back.
