Roundup Week 31
The C.C.F.L Under 17 Division has proven to be a major success this season and last Saturday’s results confirmed that the destination of the title will go right down to the wire.
Gracefield Athletic and Killavilla United cannot be separated at the top of the table and both only have one game left to play. For both, that game will be in Portarlington in April when the two go head to head in a classic winner take all contest. If this game finishes in a draw then there will have to be a playoff to decide the outright winners.
Last Saturday Killavilla had to come from behind before overcoming a very useful Newbridge Town side. Daniel Butler and Ian Fitzpatrick grabbed the vital goals for the Roscrea men as it finished 2-1.
Meanwhile Gracefield were in Birr and they came out on the right side of a similar scoreline with Jim Hendy and Jason Knight hitting the goals for a very talented young Gracefield side.
In the Under 18 League, Clongowes Wood ensured they would keep their chances alive if Monksland and Mullingar were to slip up when they hammered St Peters with the prolific Bidemi Afeledi getting yet another hat-trick. This was complemented by further strikes from Peter McGreevy and Raul Morar.
In the Under 19 section it was Cup Quarter Final weekend. Tullamore Town and Portlaoise joined Edenderry Town in the last four with comprehensive victories over Mountmellick and St Aengus respectively on Saturday afternoon. Tullamore were particularly impressive in their game with McDaragh O’Neill hitting a hat-trick and Ted Conway adding a brace of goals as they eased through.
The best quarter final took place on Friday night however when Athy Town opened their superb new floodlit astro park with Abbeyleix Athletic the opposition. The visitors spoiled the party however when they left with a 2-1 success. Darragh Cripps and Patrick O’Keefe were on target for the Laois men while Nathan Germaine replied for the hosts.
There were some important games played in Division 3 Saturday on Saturday afternoon and none more so than in Tara Park Ballymahon where the local side entertained Mullingar Town seconds. In the end the sides were separated only by a penalty goal from the boot of Kevin Flanagan to keep the Mullingar men on course for the title.
In Cup action on Sunday Clara Town B team continued on their quest to pick up every piece of silverware available at this level when they easily accounted for Milnore Rovers to book a place in the quarter-finals of the Division 3 Cup. The Streamstown based side were out of their depth against this Clara team who had goalscorers in David Ledwidth, Paddy Guilfoyle, Dean Minnock, Ronan Grennan and Ian Fitzpatrick.
In the Division 4 Cup, Derry Rovers B team reached the semi final following a narrow 1-0 win over St Carthages. Michael Foran grabbed the only goal of a well contested quarter final.
In League action, Abbeyleix Athletic are now within touching distance of taking the Division 1 title after they easily defeated Noreside Celtic 4-1. Niall Wallace, Joe Bergin, Neil Cooney and Adrian Stynes all found the net for a very impressive Abbeyleix outfit.
Stradbally Town will not give up the battle without a fight however. On Sunday they travelled to Athlone and came away with all the points against St Peters B team. Derek Gorman hit both goals for the Laois men in a 2-1 victory.
In Division 3A, Killavilla United seconds kept their chances of at least runners up place alive with a very good 3-0 success over second placed Cloneygowan Celtic. Goals from Chris Murphy, Martin Walsh and Paul Brussells keeps them in the hunt.
In Division 3B Gallen United accounted for bottom side BBFC 6-2 with the highlight being a fine hat-trick from Dermot Daly.
