Roundup Week 3
Slowly but surely the Combined Counties Football League is cranking into action with all adult men divisions now up and running, and the underage and women sections to get underway over the next few weeks.
Some of the highlights of this weekends action saw Gracefield recover from a difficult time to record a well deserved 3-0 in Birr against Highfield in a Division 1 encounter. The Portarlington based side who were promoted as champions from Division 2 last season hit the ground running thanks to goals from Tom Slevin and a Stephen Slattery double.
Clonbonny have also stated their intensions in Division 1 following a superb 4-1 success over Moate Celtic. The Athlone side who have matured into a well knit unit over the last few seasons had Mark O’Connor, Kenny Prendergast, Shane Monaghan and Keith Nally on the mark in this game.
Division 1 Saturday got underway at the weekend and Boro Celtic put their title aspirations on the table following an emphatic 7-2 victory over one of last seasons strong sides Grange United. James Hilton was the star of the show for the Lanesboro men with four goals to his name, while David Harrison chipped in with two and David Rooney completed the Boro account.
In Division 3A Ballybrittas maintained their excellent start to the season when they defeated last years Division 4A champions Raheen by three goals to two. Ballybrittas did not get it all their own way in this tough Laois encounter, but goals from Paul Lynch (his fourth in two games), Kieran Connolly and Colin Kehoe saw them over the line.
Division 3B saw Gallen United get back to winning ways with a satisfying 3-2 home win over neighbours Banagher in Ferbane. ED Healy and Dermot Daly were among the goals for the Gallen men.
Division 4A looks like being a very interesting battle this season with several sides hoping for success. Maryborough look as though they could be one of these following a very good 6-3 victory over Stradbally Town. Man of the match Sean O’Driscoll hit a stunning hatrick for the Portlaoise outfit who had other goal scorers in Conor Brennan, Keith Bray and Willie Bland.
Division 4B also looks like it will be worth keeping an eye on if the early season action is anything to go by.
Monksland United were in impressive form at home to St James on Sunday where they recorded a fine 4-2 victory with the goals coming from Alan Cormican, Sean Scorr and Oran Fahy with a brace.
Sean Rosney and Willie Clear gave St Carthages Ath a half time lead in their game with Raharney, but the Westmeath men recovered to grab a share of the spoils in another entertaining game in Rahan.
