Combined Counties Football League Roundup Week 15
The second round of the Combined Counties Cup took centre stage in the C.C.F.L programme of games at the weekend and while there was only one major shock there were also a few surprises.
The shock of the day saw Division 3A side Kilcormac United account for Premier side Mullingar Town by two goals to one in Kilcormac to book their place in the last 32 of the competition.
Coolraine will also be very happy with their days work when they overcame Clonaslee United 5-3 in a game full of thrill and spills in Durrow. Coolraine led 3-1 at the interval and although Clonaslee fought back in the second half, Coolraine held their advantage to secure their passage. Pa Cosgrave and Aaron Hensey both shot doubles for Coolraine, Cosgraves second a beauty from 35 yards and James Mahon added a fifth. Clonaslee played their part in a fine game. Their goals came from Conor Gorman with another piledriver and two from Darren Hogan.
Shinrone are also safely through after they travelled to Ballybrittas and won 2-0 with Michael Cordial getting both goals for an impressive looking Shinrone side who had other good players in Derek McLoughlin, Kieran McLoughlin and John Cummins.
Portarlington Town ensured there would be at least one Division 4 team in the last 32 when they came from behind to beat Clonminch Rovers 2-1. Two goals from Pauric Duffy saw the Port men advance while Willie Dowling and Chris Booth were others to make important contributions to their success.
Longford side Killoe travelled south to play Rosenallis and almost caused an upset when they led through goals from Mulligan and Downes, but well worked goals from free kicks late in the game got Rosenallis over the line.
Abbeyleix Athletic will fancy their chances of doing well in this competition this season. On Sunday they got over Walsh Island Shamrocks 3-2 in a hard fought game. Stephen Hawkins was again the main man for Abbeyleix with two goals while Conor Bergin chipped in with a third.
In the Combined Counties Shield Ericssons of Athlone enjoyed a comfortable 4-0 win over visiting Rosenallis B to advance. Brian Ganley, Danny Seery and a brace from John Hannon did the business for Ericssons.
In the Senior Division there were three very important games played over the weekend.
Willow Park coming from behind to edge out fellow title contenders Killavilla United 3-1.Meanwhile Mullingar Athletic kept their advantage at the top when they hammered bottom side Gallen United. Clara Town are also still very much in the mix following a thrilling 4-3 victory over mid table Arlington.
In the Premier Division C.K United lost their first league game of the season when they went down 2-1 away to Mullingar Athletic seconds. A fine effort from Jimmy Kinnearney was all the Tullamore men had to show for their efforts on the day. C.K are still very much in control in this division, but they will be concerned at their recent dodgy run.
In Division 1 a hat-trick from David Tone and another from Damien Dolan pushed Temple Villa right into contention as they defeated Highfield 4-0 in Birr. Gracefield were held to a two all draw in Portarlington by an inconsistent Ballinahown. Eamon Kelly getting the goals for Gracefield who will see this as two points dropped in their quest for honours. Earl Gaylard and Alan Fox scored for Ballinahown who will be happy with the effort shown by the team.
Killeigh Ramblers are still in the hunt in Division 2. They went top of the table at least temporarily when they defeated Edenderry reserves 3-0 in Killeigh. Padraig Horan set them on their way from the penalty spot after Jamie Kelly had been brought down. Nigel Cunningham then made it two nil midway through the second half with an excellent header before Horan blasted home another penalty to leave the result in no doubt.
In Division 4A Abbeyleix Athletic moved back to the top of the table following a good 3-1 win away to Mountmellick. Daithi brennan was the hero of the day for Abbeyleix with a sublime hat-trick to get them back on track following an indifferent run of form.
The mid table battle between Maryborough and St Aengus saw the Portlaoise men prevail 2-1. Adam Mulhall and two from Sean O’Driscoll saw Maryborough move into the top half of the table.
There was also a mid table match in Division 4B where Monksland and St carthages played out a two all draw in Athlone. Jason Kiernan scored his first goal for Carthages to put them in fromt, but they had then to come from behind to force a draw with 17 year old Mark Kinehan firing home the equaliser.
In Underage action Abbeyleix Under 18’s were in Wexford to play Kilmore United in an LFA Youths Cup match. It proved to be a fruitless journey for the Abbeyleix men who lost 4-2 on the day. Lee Bergin and Philip Walton got on the scoresheet for Abbeyleix.
Meanwhile Newbridge Town maintained their place at the top of the pile in the Under 18 Division following an impressive 7-1 win away to Birr Town. Joe Darcy, Ciaran Glynn and Kevin Edmonds all scored twice and Paddy Kavanagh added another as the Newbridge men ran our easy winners.
The Under 19 Division is really hotting up. With leaders Mullingar Athletic loosing 6-2 at home to Ballinahown, it gave an out of sorts Tullamore Town the opportunity to make up some ground and they took it with both hands, trouncing a Mountmellick United side who had held them to a draw the previous week. Leading 4-0 at the break it was all too easy in the end for Tullamore whose goals came from Matthew Haynes, Daniel Crowley, Mark Casey, Ross Kinnearney, Eddie Connolly, Stephen Lynam and McDaragh O’Neill.
