County football leagues offer inviting contests

THE McCarthy Insurance Group County Football Leagues is taking shape ahead of a full programme of games over the coming days in addition to clubs working around inter-county action in catching up on fixtures deferred owing to inclement weather.

DIVISION 1

CARRIGALINE have leapt into top position yet they can expect a stiff challenge from second placed St. Finbarr’s on Saturday. The Barr’s have played a game less, drawing with Cill na Martra, they followed up to overcome Nemo Rangers and Éire Óg.

For their part, Carrigaline incurred a loss to Newcestown but recovered to better Cill na Martra and Douglas. Nemo are well in contention as they encounter Éire Óg while Carbery Rangers fresh from a win over Castlehaven are away to Newcestown.

DIVISION 2

DOHENYS with a game or two in hand over challengers have eight points from five starts after their unbeaten run came to a halt against Valley Rovers. A tough clash awaits the Dunmanway side on Friday, Clonakilty, unbeaten from three games are visitors to Sam Maguire Park.

Also in the leading bunch are St. Michael’s and Valley Rovers. Two sides in mid-table Knocknagree and Béal Athan Ghaorthaidh meet in Knocknagree this Thursday evening.

Knocknagree forfeited a late winning goal to St. Michael’s in their previous assignment whereas Béal Ath’n availed of green flags from Donagh Seartan and Conchúir Ó Loinsigh to shade matters over Clyda Rovers.

At the bottom of the table, Kiskeam have disappointed todate, another long journey awaits the Duhallow side to O’Donovan Rossa. Though Rossa enjoyed a win over Knocknagree in their opening game, they have failed to build upon that outing and it makes Saturday’s assignment vital to both sides.

DIVISION 3

KANTURK are well placed, seven points from four starts earns the premier slot from Macroom Rockchapel and Newmarket. It took an important goal from Lorcán McLoughlin for Kanturk to escape the shackles of Newmarket as they face into another Duhallow derby on Saturday with Rockchapel as visitors.

Earlier in the week, Kanturk summoned up a recovery during the closing quarter to claim a draw with Castletownbere after a competitive tussle. Three points adrift, ‘keeper Ronan Cashman pointed both a free and a ‘45’ before Grantas Buckinas obliged with a last ditch point to take home plenty of positives.

Rockchapel rescued a share of the spoils with Macroom thanks to converting a pair of late points. Though Kanturk will be difficult to dislodge on home soil, facing a gritty Rockchapel makes for a competitive clash.

The same applies to Mallow entertaining Newmarket on Thursday, Newmarket had set the early pace only to concede ground against Aghada and Kanturk in their previous assignments. Meanwhile Mallow recovered from a narrow defeat to Rockchapel, early goals from Mark Kelleher and Darragh Moynihan proved decisive against neighbours Kilshannig.

Kilshannig seek an improvement away to Nemo Rangers while Macroom under Aidan O’Mahony hope to continue their promising form at home to Bishopstown.

DIVISION 4

GLANMIRE are digging deep to head the table after erasing a seven point deficit against Aghabullogue. By pulling themselves off the canvas, Glanmire are currently clear of Naomh Abán, Boherbue and Bandon.

Next up is a meeting away to Naomh Abán, the hosts encouraged by a win over near neighbours Iveleary thanks to goals Darragh Ó Laoire and Adrian Ó Cathasigh either side of the interval.

A hectic week for Boherbue began on recording a three points win away to Bandon on Tuesday night to join Naomh Abán in second place. Again Boherbue hit the road early on Sunday morning away to Bantry Blues.

DIVISION 5

BUTTEVANT are the trailblazers, a maximum of 8 points from four games though it took a late flourish to shade matters over Mitchelstown. Goals from Paddy Behan and David Hanlon brought Buttevant into contention prior to Mark Lenahan pointing a brace of late points to secure a win by the minimum of margins.

Glenville are visitors to Buttvant on Sunday, the East Cork side encouraged by a win over Ballydesmond. Second placed Adrigole are away to Millstreet on Friday, the Beara men heartened by impressive wins against Kilmurry and Na Piarsaigh.

Millstreet are unbeaten from two starts, a pair of goals from Hugh Linehan key to a triumph at the hands of Kinsale.

A big contest on Sunday is the meeting of Dromtariffe and Ballydesmond, both sides attempting to address recent reversals. Dromtariffe slipped up at the hands of Millstreet, Mitchelstown and a seven point defeat to Kinsale on Tuesday evening while Ballydesmond disappointed against Buttevant and Glenville.

Mitchelstown are home to a Kinsale side that overcame Dromtariffe, Shane Beston and Dylan Sheehan netted for the ‘Town against Buttevant yet they slipped up during the latter stages.

DIVISION 6

WITH just two games played, Aghinagh, Gabriel Rangers and Cobh are early frontrunners. The top of the bill is Aghinagh home to Cobh, the Muskerry enjoyed a great win away to St. Michaels, assisted by timely goals from Liam Twohig.

Gabriel Rangers come up against Kildorrery, the latter hoping to recover from defeats to Aghinagh and St. Michael’s.

DIVISION 7

DUHALLOW pair Cullen and Castlemagner have declared their intent with unbeaten runs, their meeting on Sunday arouses interest. Last time out, Cullen availed of a flying start against Urhan with early goals netted by Luke Murphy and Colin Walsh.

Castlemagner also enjoyed a productive opening at home to St. Finbarr’s, goals from Cormac O’Sullivan and Evan Magner proved decisive ahead of a late flourish from the city men that came up short.

On offer is a competitive contest, a more experienced Cullen facing a younger Castlemagner,building from capturing a Duhallow JAFC title last autumn.

Lurking behind the Duhallow pair are Canovee and St. James with a game less played. Canovee are reigning County JAFC holders face St. Finbarrs, fresh from a comprehensive win over Ballyhooly with Jack Kelleher, Dara McMahon and Paudie O’Leary amongst the five goals netted.