Combined Counties Football League Roundup Week 12
An incredible 219 goals in 49 games were the main statistics from the C.C.F.L games played at the weekend where goals were the order of the day in all divisions.
It was League action all the way with several teams putting their title aspirations on the line in a hectic weekend of action.
In the Under 17 Division Daingean were not in action while the leaders Willow Park had their game with Emo rescheduled for Monday.
This gave Longford Town the opportunity to make a move up the table when they entertained St Aengus in Flancare Park, and they did not disappoint. Peter Hanley and Joe Lawrence were among the goals for the Longford men as they continued their recent good run of form.
In the Under 18 Division Newbridge Town remain top of the table. They made their difficult trip to Mullingar Athletic a winning one when goals from Dylan McNamara and Ciaran Glynn secured the points.
It looks as though the main opposition to Newbridge will come from either Edenderry or Abbeyleix. Edenderry had a comprehensive 5-1 win over Portlaoise while Abbeyleix took all the points from their game with Birr Town. Goals from Philip Walton and Tony Flanagan saw Abbeyleix over the line.
Tullamore Town kept their one hundred per cent record in the Under 19 Division thanks to a 2-1 win in Athlone against St Peters. Tullamore took an early lead when McDarragh O’Neill fired home a free kick with some style. Calvin Mooney doubled Tullamores advantage midway through the half, but a converted second half penalty for Peters left the game on the edge until the end.
It is really hotting up in the Senior Division where Willow Park were beaten again by a rapidly improving Killavilla United team.
Clara Town failed to take advantage of Willow’s slip when they went down 4-1 to Mountmellick, another side hitting form.
Monksland are also well over their bad patch. On Sunday they hammered neighbours Melville United by six goals to one when goals from Matt Scally, John Stapleton, John Francis and Ian O’Reilly gave the Cushla Park based side a real morale boosting victory.
In the Premier Division bottom side Stradbally Town gave their season a real shot in the arm when they overcame neighbours Abbeyleix by two goals to one to confirm their tag as Abbeyleix’s bogey team. Derek Beale and Jody Dillon grabbed the goals for a determined Stradbally outfit. Dillons winner a 25 yard thunderbolt in the second minute of injury time. Ger Fennelly had earlier equalised for Abbeyleix.
Division 1 is also getting very interesting following Clonbonny’s 4-0 rout of leaders Shinrone. Two goals from Kenneth Prendergast paved the way for this outstanding result for the Athlone men, and puts them in with a real chance of ultimate honours. Mark O’Connor and Paul Nally chipped in with a goal each to confirm Clonbonny’s superiority on the day.
In the same division, a John Killion goal was not enough to prevent Ballinahown succumbing 3-1 to Temple Villa in a Westmeath derby.
Division 1 Saturday is yet another division that could go anyway with all teams well capable of beating each other on any given day.
This was certainly the case on Saturday when champions Mostrim were brought back down to earth by Boro Celtic following their exploits in the LFA Cup last weekend.
It finished 2-0 in favour of Boro when second half goals from Clem McCormack and a James Hanley, the latter a beauty from all of 30 yards saw them go top of the table.
Both sides missed chances in a pulsating second half, but Boro led by Mike Morrissey held on for the victory.
Camlin United were leding the division going into the weekend, but they had to be happy with a point from their visit to Streete where Inny belied their lowly position to force a two all draw. With Enda Carter and Declan McGuinness in great form in the middle of the park, Inny were full value for their draw. Dwayne Maher headed home Inny’s first goal following good play from John Gorman, and Adam Cunningham added a second to put them into the lead, but ultimately it gained them the draw.
In Division 3A, bottom side Raheen got their season off the ground thanks to a hard fought 4-2 victory over fellow Laois side Emo Celtic. Two first half goals from Mickey Dalton followed by two in the second half from his twin brother Dan was enough to secure the win and the points for the Raheen men. Others to stand out for Raheen were Harry Talbot, Greg O’Sullivan and Anthony Dunne.
Elsewhere in Division 3A Ballybrittas and Kilcormac shared the goals in a ten-goal thriller that keeps both sides in the hunt. Meanwhile Clonminch probably ended Daingean’s chances when goals from David Gorman and Larry Nicholson saw the Tullamore outfit win 2-0.
In Division 4A Portarlington Town played bottom side CR Forest on Saturday afternoon and following a 5-0 win they led the table overnight. John Ricard, Chris Booth and Brendan Maher were all on the scoresheet for Port for whom Eoin Lawlor and Colin Lennon also impressing.Long time leaders Abbeyleix failed to win again when they were held to a three all draw by Stradbally. Mark Kirwan with two and Mark Fitzgerald scored for Abbeyleix who are holding on by a thread at the top of the table.The in form team right now is Rosenallis. On Sunday they came from behind to beat Maryborough 6-4 in another great game of football. Goals from Sean O’Driscoll and Dan Langan had given the Portlaoise men the early advantage, but they were then unfortunate to have their goalkeeper sent off in what was the turning point of the game. Rosenallis came more and more into it after this and goals from Joe Dooley, Eugene Conroy, Podge Gorman, John Hughes, Alan Herbert and another from Doley completed the comeback for Rosenallis who are now in with a real chance of going all the way. Tower Hill Rovers are not completely out of it either. On Sunday they enjoyed a fine 6-3 victory over a struggling Mountmellick side. Two goals from the outstanding Paddy Downey complemented by doubles from Sean Egan and Adrian Kelly were enough to claim all three points for Rovers who had other fine performers in Sean Cotter, Brian Dunne, Shane Colgan and Paddy Ryan.
In Division 4B, leaders Raharney were in unstoppable for as they hammered St James 6-1 to consolidate their position at the top of the table.
Elsewhere Eagles and Monksland played out a one all draw in a mid table contest. Cathal Ryan was on the mark for Monksland in this one.