We had only one fixture played last weekend and that was Pinewood against Cappoquin on Saturday afternoon. This league fixture was switched on Saturday morning from the Ballinamult venue to Cappoquin as the Ballymac pitch was unplayable.

In fact the weather was without doubt the winner last weekend as all other fixtures fell by the wayside. The WW/EC committee made the decision to call off all games for Sunday on Saturday afternoon, so the preliminary rounds of the Ned Barry Cup as well as the league games, did not take place.

This coming weekend we will have one Barry Cup game, and what a game we have when Valley A play Brideview A in Conna. As well there are important league games in both divisions on Saturday and Sunday.

MARI MINA PHARMACY PREMIER

Pinewood 3 Cappoquin 2

Unfortunately the rain of the Thursday and Friday made the Ballinamult venue unplayable and Pinewood agreed to reverse the fixture, coming to Cappoquin.

Credit to the Cappoquin club and grounds people for having the pitch playable at such short notice.

We felt it could be a case of deja vu early in the opening half as Cappoquin struck for the first goal from Jason Morrissey. However, Pinewood were not going to let Cappoquin build a lead as they did the previous week and equalised through Keith Guiry.

Cappoquin regained the lead when Morrissey scored again, but back came Pinewood with Craig Guiry equalising before half-time.

It was end to end stuff in the second half and midway through the half Craig Guiry scored his second goal, but more importantly, the lead goal for the Ballymac’ side and a lead they would hold to the final whistle. Try as they might Cappoquin could not get the score that would give them a share of the points and the final whistle saw Pinewood reverse the result of the previous week.

Cappoquin will be disappointed with the result, but the dividend of playing with a young side since the start of the season is beginning to pay off for Ray Murphy – in the past few games, Cappoquin have shown their position in the league table is a false one. With seven league games to play, they still have games that can see them move away from the bottom of the table.

For Pinewood, this was very important for two reasons. They have now played all their first round games, and this victory see them move up the table and they have games in hand. Tom Guiry will be happy with the result and the second half of the league should be very interesting for them.

PREVIEWS

Hopefully the coming weekend will see us back playing football again and reporting on results instead of the weather.

Valley Rgs A v Brideview A

When the draw for the Ned Barry Cup was made two weeks ago and both these sides were paired, this was without doubt the stand out cup tie. At present in the league table, both sides are level on games, but the Tallow side have a one point lead at the top.

Both sides will have to meet again in the league in Tallow, but cup football is much different to a league game. One goal, one mistake can decide a cup tie, and both teams will definitely be up for this game come 2pm Sunday.

So who do we think will be going into the next round? Definitely not an easy call, “Speedy” will have his charges motivated for this game, while his opposite number, Shane Kearney as player manager, will drive his charges from the middle of the park.

It is a game that has all the ingredients of going 110 minutes and then a penalty shoot out, but we believe, at home Valley may get over the line, but it is a prediction we make with caution, as we have already gone on record as saying Brideview are good enough to win the league. A double? Let’s wait and see!!

Inch v Pinewood

In the league this has to be the game of the weekend. Inch are two points clear, but with a game more played, so it is important for both teams to avoid defeat on Saturday at Sexton Park. Inch have slowly moved into a challenging position for the title, but they cannot afford to drop points, especially at home. Their home record of late is good, with wins against Brideview and Kilworth, but Pinewood have a few new signings and this is definitely going to strengthen Tom Guiry’s squad for the rest of the season. With so much at stake, it could quite easily end with a share of the points.

Kilworth v Cappoquin

The bottom two play each other at the Pound Lane venue on Sunday morning and is a game that Cappoquin will hope to get three points from, as their performances of late have seen a youthful side start to take shape. Kilworth we have seen play and are a side where their displays belie their lowly league position. We were impressed with them as were many others, but unfortunately the management is not getting the commitment required each weekend. Cappoquin will be favourites, but Kilworth will want to get away from this record of no points with only a handful of league games to play. Kilworth might get their first point on the table.

Clashmore v Blackwater

When they met in Ballinameela in the middle of December, the sides shared the points in a four goal derby encounter. Both teams are having a mixed season, none of the two of them consistent, but Blackwater have the opportunity to go top of the table, as the other three teams are not playing league football. We think Blackwater will come out on top, although Clashmore have the knack of proving us wrong.

Mogeely v Glenview

Mogeely need this game badly to get their last performance (a 7-0 hammering from Accrington)out of their system. When they played Glenview in Glenview Park before Christmas, they had to depend on an Ethan Hayes penalty to claim all three points. In Glenview’s last game they could only draw at home with Railway and this has definitely set their promotion hopes back, so a good result on Sunday and the Melleray side are back in the race for at least second place. But at home, Mogeely will be expected to come out on top.

Railway Ath v Accrington

Accrington come to Cappoquin on Sunday morning with six points from their last two league games, games against the top two sides and in the process have scored 12 goals. This is a high rating CV for any team and Railway will have to be at their very best to keep this strong Fermoy based team in tow for the 90mns. Railway drew their last game away to Glenview. On their last two displays, Accrington must be favourites to win and join Castlebridge in second place in the promotion race.

Brideview B v Inch B

A disappointing result by Brideview when losing away in Kinsalebeg, mean the Tallow side cannot afford to drop any more points in their race to win Section B of the 1st Division. Inch at present are bottom of the table with only one victory from their 10 games played. Brideview at home will be expected to win.

Kinsalebeg v Caherdrinna

Caherdrinna return to the ground where they made their league debut back at the end of September and came away with a share of the points in a very entertaining game. Kinsalebeg are in second place in the section, while the visitors are just three points behind and level on games. Kinsalebeg at home will be expected to win, but we may end up with the same result of a few months back, a share of the points.

FIXTURES

Saturday, 26th January

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier – Inch v Pinewood 2.30pm, D O’Sullivan.

Sunday, 27th January

Ned Barry Cup – Valley Rgs A v Brideview A 2pm, J O’Riordan.

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier – Kilworth v Cappoquin 11.30, E Cusack; Clashmore v Blackwater 11.30, M Reddy.

Lismore House Hotel 1st Division – Mogeely v Glenview 11.30, K Griffin; Railway Ath v Accrington 2.30pm, D Fogarty; Brideview B v Inch B 11.30, P Griffin; Kinsalebeg v Caherdrinna 2.30pm, K Griffin.

SIOBHAN BARRY RIP

The death occurred on Saturday morning last of Siobhan Barry, Lismore, wife of the late Ned Barry, founder member Lismore AFC, and at the time of his death, president of Lismore AFC.

The Ned Barry Perpetual Cup was presented to the WW/EC League by the Lismore club four years ago to commemorate Ned Barry and all the time, effort and commitment he had given to promoting the game of football for over fifty years. For the past three years, Siobhan has been present on the first Monday night in January at the draw for the Barry Cup and has presented the cup at the three finals to date. However, at the last delegate meeting and Barry Cup draw two weeks ago, Siobhan was not well enough to attend to perform the draw, but sent her best wishes.

On Saturday morning last we received the sad news of her death. It is the end of an era for the Lismore club, but the Barry name will live on through the Ned Barry Cup.

To her brothers, nephews and nieces and her many, many friends and neighbours, the Lismore club, on behalf of the WW/EC League we send our sincere sympathy. Ar dheis De ar a anam.

DELEGATE MEETING

The next delegate meeting of the WW/EC League will take place on Monday, 4th February at Lismore House Hotel commencing at 8.30pm.

GOLDEN BOOT

In the Premier, Trevor O Flahery, Youghal Utd, has 14 goals. The nearest to him is 6 goals with a few players having scored that number of goals.

In the 1st Division, Ethan Hayes, Mogeely leads with 14 goals, Killian O’Sullivan 11; followed by John Broderick, Glenview, 10; Alan Collins, Mogeely, 9 and Alan O’Connor, Accrington, 8.

The Golden Boot is sponsored by the Red Store, Youghal.

EXCITING LEAGUE

With no games last weekend, it gave us an opportunity to take a breather, in other words, have a look at how the clubs in the league are performing since last September, as we start the second half of the league.

In the Premier, Brideview have joined Youghal Utd at the top of the table, but have two games less played. Last week the Tallow team lost away to Blackwater, but are in many peoples’ eyes very strong contenders to win the title. They already have the Tony Bolger Cup in their trophy cabinet. Youghal have led the table since September, but have lost their three away games in the past few weeks and while level on points with Brideview, have more games played. Blackwater are in third place, but have more games played and can go top of the table at the weekend as none of the top three are playing, but they are not very consistent at present. Valley Rgs, having lost to Brideview, defeated Lismore two weeks ago to keep them within one point of the leaders and will be very strong contenders come the end of April. Inch, after a slow start, find themselves in 5th place, three points behind the leaders. A few weeks back they defeated Youghal and will have a big bearing on where the title will rest before the end of April. Don’t rule out Sexton Park!!

Lismore back in the premier after a few years absence have a much changed team to last year’s winning promotion side. With at least five of the championship side missing this season, the younger players have needed time to adjust to playing in the top tier of the league, however they are only four points adrift of the top two sides and Lismore must play both Brideview and Youghal in the league. Pinewood are only making up ground now as they were behind with games due to their participation in the FAI and Munster Cup competitions. With a few new signings they will be a threat to the top teams before the end of the season.

Clashmore have lost more games than they have won, but had a great victory two weeks ago at home when defeating Youghal. Having played more games than the teams around them, they must keep winning to get away from the relegation area. Cappoquin have had a poor enough season according to their standards. They have adopted a youth policy which is only now beginning to show the work that has taken place with the team from the start of the league. While they are in second last place, their more recent performances would suggest they will get the points to move them away from this precarious position in the league table. At the bottom of the premier is Kilworth, pointless having played 12 games. They have only six games remaining and they need points and urgently to fight relegation. Nothing is impossible in football.

In Division 1, Mogeely are well ahead in the promotion race and must be favourites to win the division. Another two victories from their remaining five games should be enough to ensure premier football next season. Castlebridge are in second place and need to keep winning to give themselves a chance of promotion. It is possible and much will depend on their performances in the next few weeks. Accrington have defeated the top two in consecutive weeks scoring 12 goals in the two games. With games in hand, they are going to be a threat and there could be a mighty scramble for promotion before the middle of March.

Glenview lost their way in their last few games and have dropped into a position that now sees them having to win their remaining 5 games to have any realistic hope of promotion. Railway Ath are in last position in the top half of the table, they are too far behind to challenge for promotion. However, as they must play all the teams above them yet, Railway could have a very big say in what two teams will be promoted.

Valley Rgs B lead section B of the first division and will need to keep winning if they want to win the section. Kinsalebeg are only a point behind and a game less played, so they are in a very good position to leapfrog the Conna side. Brideview B have lost their last two games and need to get back to winning ways if they wish to be the winners of the section.

Caherdrinna are in their very first season in competitive football and it has, as expected, taken a while to adjust to competitive football each weekend. While they are still only finding their feet, they will be a strong force come next season. Inch are bottom of the table, but the team has performed well while not getting the results.

So that is a very quick look at the 20 teams that compete every weekend as we see them. The top of the premier is without doubt the closest we have seen for many seasons, with just 5 points separating seven teams, while in the 1st division, Mogeely are favourites to win and the scramble to joint them appears to be between Castlebridge and Accrington. Definitely plenty of exciting games for the next few weeks in the entire league.

LEAGUE TABLES W/E 20/1/2013

Mari Mina Pharmacy Premier

PL W D L PTS

Brideview 11 7 1 3 22

Youghal Utd 13 7 1 5 22

Blackwater 13 6 3 4 21

Valley Rgs 11 6 3 2 21

Inch 11 6 1 4 19

Lismore 12 5 3 4 18

Pinewood 10 5 2 3 17

Clashmore 12 4 2 6 14

Cappoquin 11 2 2 7 8

Kilworth 12 0 0 12 0

Lismore House Hotel 1st Division

Mogeely 12 10 1 1 31

Castlebridge 13 7 2 4 23

Accrington 11 6 2 3 20

Glenview 12 5 3 4 18

Railway Ath 11 3 4 4 13

SECTION B

Valley Rgs B 12 4 3 5 15

Kinsalebeg 11 3 5 3 14

Brideview B 11 3 2 6 11

Caherdrinna 11 3 2 6 11

Inch B 10 1 0 9 3