Scaffolding clip Eagles’ wings to climb to second in the table! Cork Business League Weekly Round-up
Sports Gear Direct First Division
O’Brien Scaffolding 4 – 1 Cork Eagles
OBS’s tremendous run in the league since October has now stretched to ten unbeaten following last Sunday afternoon’s 4-1 win over Cork Eagles in difficult overhead conditions at Mayfield Pk. The victory propelled the hosts to within two points of leaders Crookstown United as the business end of the season draws near, writes Finbarr Buckley.
Nyall O’Brien had his side two up inside the opening thirty-five minutes before going on to complete a memorable hat-trick in the second-half followed by a 4th from Arainn McGrath. The lively striker pick pocketed from a scramble at the back to round the keeper and edge the hosts in front on fifteen minutes. After Pawel Orlowski equalized for the Eagles ten minutes later, Jack Cotter’s corner was powerfully headed in by O’Brien to ensure his team went in 2-1 ahead at the break. Mick Brown set up the third for O’Brien by drilling a cross low and hard across the six-yard box, leaving McGrath to finish the scoring in the 80th minute, creating and finishing the move himself. Colm O’Brien, defender Jerry Lyons and the returning Willie Doyle shone for the winners.
20/20 Glazing 1 – 2 SCS Crookstown United
In another contest played in blustery conditions at Mayfield Pk., Crookstown regained joint leadership of the division with Co. Council by getting the better of fellow title chasers 20/20 Glazing in a best of three goal encounter. The visitors held their opponents scoreless against the wind in the first-half but fell behind to a Fionn Hennessy Hayes strike in the 65th minute. Michael Kelleher’s cross-shot tied up the contest in the 78th minute with Andrew Kenneally firing in the winner from outside the area, after Martin O’Sullivan’s corner was only partially cleared. The victory sealed a crucial three points for the visitors who still have the destination of a first title success in their own hands. Full-back Mark Drummy and centre-back Charles Kenneally were Crookstown’s best performers on the day.
Frank Linehan First Division Cup – First Round
Cork Hospitals 1 – 1 Dell EMC (Cork Hospitals won 3-2 on pens.)
Cork Hospitals registered their first win in eleven in league and cup to still remain in contention for honours. Sean Kent opened the scoring for the home team in the 29th minute with a fine strike from distance at The Farm last Sunday afternoon. James Walsh levelled on the hour to set up an action packed finish which saw Kent and James Carroll go close for the Hospitals and Gearoid Collins almost steal it at the death for Dell EMC only to be denied time and again by the excellent goalkeeping of man-of-the-match Jason Hamilton. Paul O’Hea and Kevin O’Connor kept Dell ticking over throughout the ninety.
Mid-week Round-up :
Premier Division Marlboro Trust kick-started the mid-week fixture programme with a 4-2 win over fellow strugglers Healy O’Connor Solicitors to ease their relegation worries. Pat McSweeney (2), Kevin O’Sullivan and Ronan McBride netted for the winners with Healy’s contributions coming from Frank Carley and Francis O’Callaghan. On the Thursday in the first division, the top two, Crookstown and Co. Council, met for the first time at the Regional Pk. It was a must win contest for the hosts who went one up inside five minutes through Fergus O’Connor who added a second midways through with Dave Murphy firing in a third before half-time. Council could also allow for the luxury of a missed penalty from Richie O’Regan in the same half to further demonstrate their dominance in the period. The visitors came more into the match in the second-half but , without the services of the in-form Colm Crowley and Martin O’Sullivan, struggled to claw their way back into contention. Jason Crowley had a hand in all three goals for Council and was well supported by Michael Ryan. In Glanmire, OBS joined Glazing in third following a 3-1 win over VoxPro. After a scoreless first-half, Mike Brown pounced on a loose ball to give OBS a 55th minute lead. Brown doubled the lead ten minutes later when he got in behind to round the keeper and finish into the bottom corner. The bounce from a back-pass which deceived the keeper led to VoxPro reducing the deficit but Colm O’ Brien’s strike from outside the area restored OBS’s two goal advantage at the finish. O’Brien, Steven Mullane and Tom Coughlan impressed for the winners.
