Weekly Review on AUL League Sections:
Once again it’s
time to take another peek at the sections as the season really starts to gather
momentum.
And as you all
know, we have seen some very strange results indeed.
But, we said
that this was always possible to happen due to the unavailability of some key
players because of work commitments for these mid-week games.
And for me, it’s
at this time of the year, titles and relegations are decided upon unless you
have cumulated a massive amount of points ahead of the evening games OR if you
are lucky enough to have your regulars able to make those fixtures.
Anyway let’s
continue.
Premier:
Pearse lead the
pack here and you must say, they will be happy with their performances despite
drawing 2-2 away to Coachford last time out.
Village United’s
defeat at home to Grattan have hurt them a bit - enough to take them off the
Radar for now.
On the contrary,
the win for Grattan has certainly grabbed the attention of the enthusiasts once
again, but with quite a few games to catch up with, they will of course be
hoping that they can stay away from injury and hope to have their best 11 out
from here on in.
Park United have
made superb ground and are lurking now in third spot after a 7-0 drubbing of
Blarney Street on Tuesday.
Innishvilla have
dropped off the pace now and will be hoping to finish as high up the table as
possible.
Carrigtwohill
Untied had a right challenge on their hands starting out when they had to
re-build from scratch, but what a response from the younger players they got
and it looks like they can put plans in place now to be a force once again in
the Premier section for next season.
Glen Celtic has
also fallen behind after some recent defeats, but will certainly live to fight
another day in the Premiership.
Coachford have
made dramatic improvements and are giving it a right go to survive.
That was a huge
point gained against Pearse on Tuesday and if they can manage to keep up this
good form, they will pull away from the danger zone.
Glenthorn Celtic
had a good 2-0 win against Glen on Tuesday, but will need to pull out all the
stops now from here on in.
But, for Blarney
Street now, it is looking like Premier A football for them next season.
Premier A:
What a cracking section
this has been all season.
Knocknaheeny
Celtic are on top at this point in time, but they will know better than anyone
else that Lakewood look like the team now that are - the ones to watch.
So, for these
two boys now, there cannot be any slip ups of any sort on the run in. Knocknaheeny
will need to win away to Macroom while Lakewood travels to Greenwood with
nothing else but a win on their minds.
In third spot
are Bohs who went off the boil a bit lately, but have since redeemed themselves
on Wednesday night with a narrow 2-1 victory over Greenwood.
There is still
enough football here for some more twists and turns, but one thing is for sure,
the pressure is on the top four to secure maximum points from here on.
Rylane are
another side who have fell off the pace a bit and have a lot of ground to catch
up with and to be honest, I think the dropping of some essential points
recently has damaged their hopes of promotion.
So, if Bohs
can’t get a result away to Kanturk on Saturday and Lakewood beat Greenwood
along with Knocknaheeny getting the better of Macroom away, I think we would
then be looking at a two horse race between Lakewood and Knocknaheeny.
League 1:
What an
inconsistent section this is starting to be.
We saw on
Tuesday night – bottom side Tower (who we know are better than what their
position suggests) beat leaders Fairview 6-1.
Then, Blackstone
who were showing very well all along – they go down away to Waterloo 1-2.
Buttevant had a
tough one away to a Strand side who are fighting for survival, but managed a
point after a 0-0 draw while Cloughduv went down 0-4 away to Rathcoole.
If you look at
the table here, you would have to pay attention to Buttevant and to be honest,
if they can get a run going, they will certainly put themselves into the
favourites category here to win the section.
And if you write
off Rathcoole Rovers – you do so at your pearl.
They are not out
of the race at all yet.
In fact, with
their games in hand, mathematically, they are in there with a right shout.
Beyond that,
Strand have been fighting for their lives and giving it a right go as there is
still some football to be played yet.
If Tower can get
the better of Blackstone Rovers on Saturday, it will be a massive three points.
So, there is
plenty to look out for in this section yet.
League 1A:
On to 1A now and
it’s Boscos who lead the way still despite not having played either Tuesday or
Thursday this week.
Closest rivals
Leeview A were in action tonight, but could only manage a draw with Cathedral
Celtic 2-2 at the Fairfield.
Third place
Knockraha had a narrow 1-0 victory over the students at the GACA Grounds which
keeps their consistency of late going.
At the wrong end
and with little games left, it looks like Greenmount could be in trouble after
going down again tonight 2-4 to Dunbar.
So, at the top
end, Boscos and Leeview A are holding their own with Knockraha along with
Dunbar hoping for slip-ups to happen while they endeavour to look after
themselves in the meantime with positive results.
But, really, it
is still all to play for here.
League 2:
There was just
one game on tonight here with leaders Donoughmore cementing their position at
the helm with a 3-0 victory over Grangevale.
And you would
have to say the title is there’s to lose now.
But, for the
chasing pack, there is still an incentive there to keep going as two go up from
this section so, lots for Pearse, Hibs and Banteer to play for yet.
League 2A:
The only game on
here was Glenthorn v Blackpool Celtic with the former running out 2-0 winners
to hold on to their status in second spot.
Top of the pile
are Corkbeg who will really take massive confidence from their win against City
Wanderers last time out.
Sunday next they
take on the other potential title chasers Glenthorn Celtic B and if they can
manage a win here, who knows what can happen with plenty of football still to
be played.
Whatever about
winning the title, they might start to fancy themselves as promotion
candidates.
League 3:
Tonight’s
results did not really bring any surprises and in any event, the show could be
over here because if Central beat Los Zarcos at home on Saturday, they are
champions.
Working on the
assumption that Central can pull this off, the fight behind them will still go on for
second spot which of course will grant whoever that might be - promotion to the
second division.
So, we are still
in a squeaky bum scenario here yet – even for favourites Central.
League 3A:
What caught my
eye immediately here with tonight’s results was South Coast Athletic’s defeat
at the hands of UCC B when they went down 3-2 at home.
This really
throws the cat among the pigeons and without a doubt, at this point in time, its
advantage Churchvilla who had a 2-0 victory away to Boscos which consolidates
their position at the helm having gone 14 games unbeaten now thus far.
The scene is
certainly set for a right showdown down in Shanbally on Saturday when South
Coast play host to Churchvilla.
And if
Churchvilla can manage to get a win here, you would have to be going for them
as favourites to go on and win the title.
If that happens,
what a fight we will have on our hands between South Coast, Greenwood and
Leeview B as they prepare themselves to battle for the runner’s up spot.
Anyway, once
again, hope you enjoyed the bed time reading and I will be back again next
Thursday to take stock once again,
Yours in sport,
Barry.
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