Night of celebration
NORTH EAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE AWARDS NIGHT
ONCE again it was a light programme in the Dundalk Summer League with only three games played, with the under-19 league still on a break.
Woodview took the opportunity to close to within two points of the leaders Quay with a 4-2 win over Fane with a brace of goals by Conor Macken, and Gavin Gaffey and Jason Myles chipped in with one apiece. Sean Bailey and Robert O Hanlon replied for Fane.
Woodview have six games played, one more than Quay, and tonight (Monday) play again against Donacarney where another win would put them out in front.
But the top two meet on Thursday and that looks like it will be a defining where the title ends up.
The sides played out a scoreless draw in the first round of the competition.
Rampart defeated Cox’s 5-3, with the latter adrift at the bottom of the table, seven points behind Doncarney, who are closest to them. They are still looking for the first win.
In the only other game that went ahead Doncarney edged out Walshestown by the odd goal in three. Dillon Scully and Aaron Dale scored a goal each for the winners, and Owen Murdock was on target for Walshestown.
The under-19 league is scheduled to resume next week.
Results
Fane 2 (Sean Bailey, Robert O Hanlon) Woodview 4 (Conor Macken 2, Gavin Gaffey Jason Myles); Cox’s FC 3 Rampart Celtic 5; Donacarney Celtic 2 (Dillon Scully and Aaron Dale) Walshestown 1 (Owen Murdock)
Fixtures
Quay Celtic Woodview Fane Fc Rampart Celtic Walshestown Donacarney Celtic Cox’s FC Albion Rovers Rock Celtic Glenmuir Redeemer Celtic Muirhevnamor Shamrocks Woodview Quay Celtic PW 5 4 6 3 7 3 7 3 6 2 5 2 6 0
PW 3 2 3 1 3 1 3 1
PW 4 4 2 1 2 0 2 0 D 1 2 2 0 1 1 1
D 1 1 0 0
D 0 0 0 0 L 0 1 2 4 3 2 5
L 0 1 2 2
L 0 1 2 2 F A Pts 21 7 13 10 8 11 13 1311 20 21 9 10 8 7 9 12 7 9 23 1
F A Pts 11 6 7 7 7 4 9 8 3 11 17 3
F A Pts 27 5 12 5 10 3 2 8 0 3 14 0 THE NEFL brought down the curtain down on the 2017/18 season at its annual the presentation night held in the Monasterboice Inn on Friday.
Prior to the presentation the assembled gathering were treated to a 15-minute showreel chronicling all the goals from the finals of the various competitions, plus a brief feature on the best moments of each league division.
The compilation of the unique production was down to the great work, time, and diligence put in throughout the entire season by League PRO Tommy Melia, with assistance from the NECSL PRO Jonathan Purvis.
Special guests on the night included AUL officials Dick Redmond, Darren Feehan, and former NEFL PRO Justin Burke, Assistant Treasurer of the LFA Richard Kennedy and his wife Georgina, FAI Officials Mark Scanlon, and Barry Ferguson, Drogheda United manager Tim Clancy and O’Neills Sports representative Paul McGonagle.
Thereafter for the rest of the night photos of various winning teams, and presentations were featured in the background.
In conjunction with the following days annual match involving members of the Meath & Louth Branches of the ISRS a raffle was held with the proceeds going to Motor Neuron research following the news that a very popular official from the Cavan-Monaghan branch has been diagnosed with the disease.
Premium Tickets for forthcoming Ireland Matches were offered as prizes, and the draw yielded a substantial €700 was topped up by a €1,000 donation from the NECSL.
Great credit is due to Meath Branch Secretary Conor Byrne for his work on the night, and he was assisted by one of the special guests, former PRO Justin Burke.
Judging by the amount of goodwill and plaudits expressed on the night all individual awards were very popular choices including Club of the Year Torro United, Player of the Year Stephen Murphy from Newfoundwell, Referee of the Year Conor Byrne Meath Branch ISRS, and Manager of the Year - a duet comprising of Paul Crowley and Danny Gartland, Newfoundwell.
The full honours list for the season which were presented on the night was as follows:
O’Neill Shield Donacarney Celtic; Kilmessan Shield Newfoundwell; Gerry Reilly Mem Cup Trim Celtic 2nds; Fitzsimons Cup Torro Utd; Reserve Cup Newfoundwell; Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup Muirhevnamor; Bradys Seat B Reserve Torro Utd; Bradys Seat A Reserve Kentstown Rovers; Bradys Seat Premier Reserve Newfoundwell; Bradys Seat Div 4 Kilmessa; Bradys Seat Div 3 Rathmullen Celtic; Bradys Seat Div 2 Albion Rovers; O’Neills Sports Div 1 Rock Celtic; Brady’s Seat Prem Div Newfoundwell.
Player of the Year awards: Div 4 Robbie Maguire Kilmesssan; Div 3 Eoin Branigan Rathmullen Celtic; Div 2 Peadar Farrelly Torro Utd; Div 1 Derek Delaney Rock Celtic; Overall Player of the Year Stephen Murphy Newfoundwell.
Special Merit Award: Newfoundwell FC.
Manager of the Year: Paul Crowley/Danny Gartland Newfoundwell.
Team of the Month awards: February Albion Rovers, March Donacarney.
Referee of the Year: Conor Byrne (Meath Branch ISRS), Club of the Year Torro United.