Without kicking a ball on Sunday last, Brideview became league leaders and leapfrogged current leaders and neighbours Valley Rgs, when Kilworth gave the Tallow Club a walk-over when they were unable to field a team on Sunday morning. This was a disappointing outcome for the Kilworth club, but Brideview were happy to have the three points, although knowing the club, they would much preferred to have done so on the filed of play.

Both Brideview and Valley have now the same number of games played, and both have four games remaining, including their meeting in Tallow, which will probably be the last game of the season.

In the Ned Barry Cup, Accrington gave Clashmore a walk-over, which means Clashmore are now in the semi-final for the second consecutive year and they will play the winners of Mogeely and Lismore.

Once again the weather proved to be the winner last weekend with all other games called off on Sunday morning, as pitches were not playable.

This coming weekend, St. Patrick’s weekend, there is a full programme of league and cup games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, to make up for the loss of games last weekend.

Off the field of play, the big news is that John Giles, will lead the John Giles Walk in Lismore on Sunday, 7th April. This is a wonderful coup for the league.

PREVIEWS

This coming weekend, weather permitting, will definitely be one of the busiest for the league in many a season, with St. Patrick’s weekend fully scheduled with games on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

NED BARRY CUP Q/F

Mogeely v Lismore

The cup holders visit Railway Park and what a game is in store for the neutral on Monday afternoon. In the league, it is only a matter of weeks before Mogeely are back in the premier and with a team that has a mixture of very experienced players and youth, they are going to pose a real threat to Lismore. The visitors know that they will have to be at their very best to overcome the challenge of the home side, in a very difficult game to predict.

Lismore have the cup tradition, and while they will be playing away from home, will probably start as favourites, but they will have played a league game on Saturday night in Cappoquin, and much will depend on injuries etc. The winners of this game will play Clashmore, who have already qualified for the semi-final.

Youghal Utd v Glenview

This game fell foul of the weather last Sunday and will now be played this coming Sunday. The Melleray side have been inconsistent this season and should be fighting for promotion if at full strength for all their league games. With only the cup now remaining for the seasiders to end the season with silverware, they will be expected to overcome the Glenview challenge on Sunday, especially at home in Ardrath Park. But we will not be surprised to hear of a shock result from this game on Sunday. Youghal at home must be favourites to play in the semi-final.

The winners of this game will play the winners of Railway Ath and Pinewood.

Railway Ath v Pinewood

Another game lost to the weather last Sunday and will now be played under lights at Cappoquin’s ground on Thursday, 23rd March. Against Pinewood, Railway cannot afford to give away scores as they will be punished by a strong Ballymac’ outfit, who are always difficult to beat in the cup. Pinewood won this cup only two seasons ago, and will have to start as favourites. The winners will play the winners of Youghal Utd and Glenview.

MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER

Inch v Clashmore

The weekend gets underway in Sexton Park when Inch play hosts to Clashmore in the league. Clashmore will need to be on top of their game to take all three points on Sunday, as Inch have only the league at this stage to play for. We think that the visitors will win as they have more of an incentive. Clashmore to win.

Lismore v Cappoquin (in Cappoquin)

Lismore requested to play this league fixture in Cappoquin and the management committee agreed to play the game on Saturday night. Cappoquin need the points desperately to get away from the relegation area, but they have two games less played than Clashmore, being five points behind. A win on Saturday night would help the cornerstone club. With a cup game for Lismore two days later in Mogeely, the visitors will be very happy to come away with a draw and no injury worries. It is a game we think will see a share of the points.

MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER

Pinewood v Brideview

This has to be the match of the day, regardless of the cup fixtures, as the new league leaders travel to Ballinamult to play the side that knocked them out of the cup at the same venue a few weeks back.

It has the makings of a thriller on St Patrick’s Morning and is a very difficult game to predict. A draw in Ballinamult would be a great result for any visiting team, but Brideview know a win would have them in the driving seat with three games to play.

LISMORE HOUSE HOTEL 1st DIVISION

Inch B v Valley Rgs B

A must win game for Valley who can go clear as leaders in Section B of the 1st division, for at least 24 hours as Brideview do not play until Monday. We think Valley will pose a bigger threat than their hosts and the incentive to go top will spur the Conna side on. Valley to win.

Caherdrinna v Brideview

This game will be played in Caherdrinna on Monday afternoon and is a must win tie for the Tallow side. They were disappointed to only draw with Inch two weeks ago. With so much at stake, we think Brideview will win.

Railway Ath v Castlebridge

With three games to play, two wins will almost be enough for Castlebridge to secure premier football next season, but Monday’s fixture will not be an easy game for the Conna side. Railway have shown in the past couple of weeks how good a side they are. Castlebridge know what they must do at this stage and a win will be a wonderful incentive for them in their remaining games.

If Castlebridge have promotion hopes for the end of April, this is a game they must win and we think they will.

FIXTURES

SATURDAY, 16th MARCH

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier – Inch v Clashmore 3pm, M Reddy; Lismore v Cappoquin (at Cappoquin) 7.30pm, K Griffin.

SUNDAY, 17th MARCH

Ned Barry Cup Q/F – Youghal Utd v Glenview 11.30, D Fogarty.

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier – Pinewood v Brideview 11.30, J O’Riordan. Lismore House Hotel 1st Division – Inch B v Valley Rgs B 11.30, D O’Sullivan.

MONDAY, 18th MARCH

Ned Barry Cup Q/F – Mogeely v Lismore 2.30pm, M Reddy.

Lismore House Hotel 1st Division – Railway Ath v Castlebridge 2.30pm, S Drislane; Caherdrinna v Brideview B 2.30pm, A Higgins.

THURSDAY, 21st MARCH

Ned Barry Cup Q/F – Railway Ath v Pinewood 7.30pm, E Cusack.

DELEGATE MEETING

The next delegate meeting of the WWEC League will take place at Lismore House Hotel on Monday, 25th March commencing at 8.30pm. Will all clubs and delegated please note the change of date.

NED BARRY CUP

The draw for the semi-finals of the Ned Barry Cup was made at the delegate meeting last Monday night and resulted in Clashmore facing the winners of Mogeely v Lismore. The second semi-final has the winners of Youghal Utd v Glenview facing the winners of Railway Ath v Pinewood.

JOHN GILES TO PARTCIPATE IN WALK AND FAMILY FUN DAY

The league received the news last week that John Giles will come to Lismore and participate in the John Giles Walk and Family Fun Day which will be held on Sunday, 7th April. Last Monday night at the delegate meeting at Lismore House Hotel, the sponsorship cards were distributed to the clubs.

The appearance of John Giles at the Walk is without doubt a wonderful coup for the league as Johnny Giles is one of the best players ever to wear the green jersey. He is a familiar face most Saturdays on the Premiership on RTE. As an analyst, he is recognised as one of the best on TV and the WWEC League is honoured that he is coming to take part in the day’s activities.

The John Giles Foundation was set up three years ago in conjunction with the FAI, and the aim is to support local community programmes and personnel and invest in facilities development such as football equipment for football clubs or schools, auxiliary coaches or programmes that benefit the community through football.

It is a unique opportunity for all clubs, schools, and community groups in Ireland to come together and demonstrate the importance of football in Irish community life. Participating members sign up family, friends and members of community to sponsor their event, donating to your club and the John Giles Foundation. 50% of all monies raised go to your club/school/community group and 50% to the John Giles Foundation to be reinvested in your local community.

We will speak more on the visit of John Giles in our notes in the next few weeks.

HONOUR FOR THE LEAGUE

The WWEC League was honoured last week when the hon secretary, Paddy Pollard, was selected as one of the FAI’s delegation to travel to San Marino for the Regions Cup Qualifying Tournament. The tournament is for the amateur game and featured junior players from the Leinster and Munster region, representing the Republic Of Ireland. The other countries competing were England, Northern Ireland and the host country, San Marino. Ireland defeated Northern Ireland, drew with San Marino and lost to England. The North won two games and qualified as winners and will compete in the finals next June.

There were three players from St. Michael’s on the team, James Walsh, who is the captain, Paul Breen and Jimmy Carr, while Adrain Walsh Carrick was one of the two goalkeepers. Walsh scored against the North, bringing his goal tally for Ireland to 17 and the leading amateur scorer in the Republic, and those goals from centre half.

LEAGUE TABLES W/E 10/03/2013

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier

PL W D L PTS

Brideview 14 10 1 3 31

Valley Rgs 14 9 3 2 30

Blackwater 15 7 4 4 25

Youghal Utd 15 7 1 7 22

Inch 14 7 1 6 22

Pinewood 13 6 3 4 21

Lismore 13 5 4 4 19

Clashmore 16 5 2 9 17

Cappoquin 14 3 3 8 12

Kilworth 14 0 0 14 0

Lismore House Hotel 1st Division

Mogeely 12 10 1 1 31

Castlebridge 14 8 2 4 26

Accrington 15 7 3 5 24

Glenview 15 6 4 5 22

Railway Ath 13 3 6 4 15

SECTION B

Valley Rgs B 14 5 4 5 19

Brideview B 15 5 4 6 19

Caherdrinna 14 5 2 7 17

Kinsalebeg 14 3 5 6 14

Inch B 12 1 1 10 4