CCFL in full swing

IT was another busy weekend in the CCFL with a number of teams laying down early markers while others already have some ground to make up.

The Premier Division wasn’t short on goals as the fixtures provided 20 goals in total, seven of them coming in the match between Shinrone and early pacesetters Willow Park. Willow Park ran out 6-1 winners which included a hatrick from Aidan Hyland. Rosenallis got off to a great start to the season, winning 2-0 away at Melville United. A superb long range effort from Kenny Farrell put Rosenallis ahead and second half strike from Eoin O’Callaghan wrapped up the points for the men from Laois.

Both Clonaslee Utd v Mullingar Town and CK United v Mullingar Athletic finished 2-2. Gallen secured their second victory of the season when they beat Derry Rovers 2-1, leaving them only three points off top spot in the division with a game in hand.

Divsion 1 already looks like it will be closely contested with no fewer than seven teams having registered a win and all tied on three points. Newcomers to the League Tullamore Town got off to the best possible defeating Clonmore 2-1 courtesy of two goals from Ronan Kelly.

Newly promoted Clonbonny got their first victory of the season. Fran Earle, Paul McNally, Dylan Jinks and Keane McCormack all found the back of the net in a fine 4-1 victory away to Highfield Utd. Derek Gorman and Colin Beale were both on the scoresheet as Stradbally Town won 2-0 at home to St Peters B. A last minute Phil Hogan penalty seen Ballinahown overcome Temple villa 2-1.

In Divison 2 Cooleraine got their first points of the season when they travelled to Birr Town. Cooleraine won 2-1 with Pa Cosgrove and Shane Ryan the scorers. Kilcormac and Dynamo Town shared ninegoals, in the end goals from David Murray, Dylan Murray and a Steven Screeney Hatrick were just enough to give Kilcormac all three points. The high scoring continued when Gentex travelled to Moate Celtic. Gentex came away with all three points, winning 5-2. Portlaoise won 2-0 away to Walsh Island Shamrocks which sees them sitting pretty at the top of the Division.

Daingean Town top Division 3A after drawing 2-2 with Edenderry.

Raharney and Lawrencetown have both won their first two games of the season. Raharney were comfortable 4-0 winners away to new Longford Club BBFC while Lawrencetown won 4-2 away to Clara Town B, the goals coming from Peter nee, Conor Ryan, Conor Cullinan and Martin Mitchell.

In Division 4A Mountmellick B bounced back from their opening day defeat in to put five past Portlaoise C, Jody Davis 2, Ray dunne, Padraig Goodwin and Kevin Donoher all found the target for Mountmellick. Frankford Utd and Emo Celtic drew 2-2 which puts both teams on top of the table.

In 4B four teams have won their opening two matches. East end Celtic were the most convincing winners on the day JP O’leary(2), Pat Tyrell, Eddie Kinahan and Enda Ravenhill the scorers in a 5-0 victory away to St Carthages. Eagles FC won by the odd goal in 7 away to Clonmore, Tomas Wisinki, Robert Wolny, Piotr Niewiadomski and Konrad Stolowski getting the goals for Eagles.

Reigning Senior Division Champions Willow Park continued their winning start to the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory over local rivals St Peters. It is now four wins out of four for the Athlone Side as they go in search of their fifth Senior title in a row.

Goals from Benny McGennis, Mark McConnell and Kieran McNally were enough to see off the challenge of St Peters who are rebuilding following the loss of five of last seasons regulars to Athlone Town.

The only other match in the Senior Divison was played on Saturday night when Monksland travelled to Edenderry. Monksland still on a high after defeating Mullingar last week had to settle for a share of the points this time with the match finishing 2-2. Edenderrys goals on the night came from Barry Moore and a Sean Moore penalty.