Hard working Council shatter Glazing hopes of top spot!

LEADERS Co. Council denied 20/20 Glazing a return to the top after the two title contenders met in a fiercely contested  Sports Gear Direct First Division six pointer in difficult overhead conditions at Mayfield Pk. last Sunday morning, writes Finbarr Buckley.

The competitive Michael Ryan was the orchestrator behind both of the winner’s goals, supplying Jason Crowley with the first early on before setting up Richard Murphy with the second from a breakaway in the final quarter. Despite Gary Cronin’s late reply for the hosts, Council held on to come away with all three points after being under the cosh for almost the entire second-half. Tom Clery and Paul Barry were solid throughout at the heart of the visitor’s defence.

Abtran 2 -1 VoxPro

Shane Hegney fired mid-table Abtran into a 20th minute lead with right-back Ryan McSweeney doubling the lead from a twenty-five yard screamer in the 70th minute. Abtran’s tactic of playing long balls out from the back bore rich dividends in the lead up to both goals with Ross Daly getting on the end of another long clearance, this time for VoxPro, to flick on for Paul Coveney to net the visitor’s only goal. Coveney and Dave O’Sullivan were VoxPro’s best performers on the day.

SCS Crookstown United 2 – 0 Dalton’s Pharmacy

Crookstown, in their first season, continue their dramatic drive for promotion  with a 4th home win of the campaign following last Sunday lunchtime’s two-nil win over Dalton’s Pharmacy. Greg Fitton opened the scoring in the 65th minute after Michael John O’Mahony released the striker through the middle. Dalton’s Anthony O’Sullivan was denied an equalizer shortly afterwards when he was denied a one-on-one by a superb block from stand-in keeper Tim Irwin. Irwin went on to have a hand in the insurance second after his long kick-out was thumped to the net by Martin O’Sullivan. Michael Deasy and Colm Crowley were once again immense in the centre of the park, nullifying the threat of Pharmacy’s play-maker Paulo Santos.

Cork Hospitals 2 – 2 Dell EMC

Cork Hospitals ended their six match losing streak in the league by coming back from two down to salvage a point in the late Sunday afternoon kick-off at The Farm. Kevin O’Connor on the half-hour and Dave Busteed , ten minutes later,  edged the visitors into a two-nil interval lead only for Sean Kent and the much travelled James Carroll to rescue a point for  John Browne’s charges. Paul Murphy and Matt Tiffney were influential throughout for Mick Donegan’s visitors.

Sports Gear Direct Premier Division 

Quinlan’s Bar 6  – 0 Marlboro Trust

Quinlan’s eased to the double over Trust to move to within four points of leaders Doolan’s Cow in the only Premier Division fixture played last Saturday afternoon at Mayfield Pk. Danny O’Donoghue claimed the first and  third with an own goal and a brace  from Damien O’Mahony and one from Chrissy Bell contributing to the winner’s total at the finish. Bell’s fifth was the pick of the goals after a driving run from the back was followed by a devastating finish into the top left-hand corner. Dermot Kenneally and Graham Hosford continue their impressive form for the home team.

Mooney Cup – Quarter-Final
OBS – Doolan’s Cow (abandoned after 10 mins.)

The last eight tie between twice winners Doolan’s Cow and First Division title chasing OBS was wisely blown up after ten minutes by referee Denis Cronin in the interests of the players’ safety after high winds and a sudden downpour made playing conditions hazardous. The pair will meet again in two weeks to decide who progresses to the last four.