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Week 8 Round Up

Combined Counties Football league Roundup Week 8

It was League action all the way in the CCFL at the weekend with crucial games played in all Divisions.

In the Under 17 Division Willow Park kept up their one hundred per cent record to stay top of the division, but they were pushed all the way by a very competitive Rosenallis side on Saturday afternoon in Rosenallis.

Longford Town claimed their first win of the season by defeating Daingean Town by a solitary goal to nil, the vital score coming from Stephen Donnelly.

The surprise of the day though must be Emo Celtic’s 2-1 triumph away to Mullingar Athletic. A Danny Lutterell penalty and a low drive from Ger O’Neill gave the Laois lads a very satisfying victory.

The Under 18 Division is beginning to look like it could be an excellent contest this year with at least four teams well in contention.

None more so than Abbeyleix Athletic who travelled to one of their strongest rivals Mullingar Athletic on Saturday and won a terrific game by a goal to nil. Dean Byrne banged home the Abbeyleix winner to keep their winning start to the season going.

Edenderry Town also made it three wins out of three games when they put last years Under 17 champions Killavilla United to the sword in Fr Paul Park on Saturday evening. Mike Cleir, Aaron McDonnell and Ryan Caffrey fired in the goals for a strong looking Edenderry outfit.

Newbridge Town stay top of the table however, but they were pushed all the way by a determined Birr team. It finished 3-2 in favour of the Kildare lads as a double from Joe Darcy and a third from man of the match Paddy Kavanagh secured their place at the top of the pile.

In the Senior Division, Willow Park got back on the winning trail on Friday night when they hammered bottom side Mountmellick 5-1. Mountmellick kept on trying until the end thanks mainly to good performances from Gary Donaher and Mark Dowling.

Gallen United and Arlington played out an exciting two all draw in Ferbane on Sunday afternoon. Gallen raced into a two goal lead with George Phibbs and David Cox scoring, but Arlington finished strongly and two late goals gave them a share of the spoils.

Following a good start to the season, the wheels have come off the Monksland wagon though. They lost 4-2 to Clara Town in Athlone on Sunday event-though they scored two fine goals from Kevin Gaylard and Matt Scally.

C. K United continued on their relentless march to the Premier Division title when goals from Trevor Wright (2) and Mark Dunne saw them defeat Edenderry Town 3-0.

Abbeyleix Athletic were also three nil winners over Edenderry opposition when goals from Niall Wallace, Paudge Lawlor and Stephen Hawkins saw them overcome Derry Rovers to move further up the table.

In Division 1, Gracefield are another side that have slipped up in recent weeks following a good start. They were beaten surprisingly easily at home by a rapidly improving Highfield team on Sunday. Conor McBride scored for the Gracefield men in a 3-1 defeat, but it is now three games without a win for them.

In the same division Ballinahown secured their first win of the season away to Clonmore United where goals from Damian Fox, Conor Rohan and long serving Earl Gaylard earned them a 3-2 victory over the hosts.

Boro Celtic’s good run of results continued in Division 1 Saturday when they defeated a strong Inny FC side by a goal to nil to keep them right up there. After going close on a number of occasions, they got the crucial breakthrough when a lovely ball across the goal was turned into his own net by an Inny defender under pressure from James Hanley. Inny upped the ante in the second half, but a Boro side driven on by Barry Clarke held on to their advantage to the end.

Division 3A keeps on throwing up unexpected results. The 6-1 thrashing of Kilcormac by Ballybrittas could certainly come into this category. Goals from Tom O’Connell, Pauric Dunne, and doubles from Kieran Connolly and the outstanding Paul Lynch ensured a fantastic win for the Laois men to keep them well in contention.

League leaders Portlaoise however kept up the pressure at the top with a fine 3-0 success over Daingean Town.

An Andrew Kavanagh goal was enough for Clonminch to earn all three points against Brosna in a closely fought tie in Pollough.

Following last weeks reversal, Newtown FC did not have to wait ling to return to winning ways in Division 3 Saturday. They remain in a strong position in the standings following a resounding 4-0 thrashing of Spartak Granard. Two goals from George Bell, one from a penalty and further strikes from Anto Waters and Jason Rhatigan secured the three points for the men from Newtownforbes.

Abbeyleix Athletic are fast becoming unbackable in Division 4A. Another easy win on Sunday this time over Portlaoise Shamrocks keeps them in pole position and few would back against them winning the division even at this early stage. It finished 4-1 against the Shamrocks with the goals coming from Mark Kirwan, Shane Fennelly, Mark Fitzgerald and Daithi Brennan.

Portarlington Town however are keeping up the pressure following a great 2-0 success away to Stradbally Town. Chris Floody had the Port men in fron inside the first five minutes with a lovely chip before Kevin Kelly sealed it with five minutes remaining. Eoin Lawlor, Colin Lennon and Chris Booth were others to shine for the Portarlington men.

Maryborough are by no means completely out of it either. On Sunday they defeated bottom side C.R Forest 2-1 to stay in contention, the goals coming from the reliable Adam Mulhall and an 89th minute winner from Nathan Da Silva.

In Division 4B, Raharney kept up the pressure at the top thanks to a narrow 2-1 win over a plucky St Carthages outfit. The turning point in this game was a penalty save by Raharney keeper James Gately at a vital stage in the game.