KANTURK have taken a huge step towards promotion out of the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 3 Football League on what was the penultimate weekend.
The Duhallow side had a surprisingly comfortable win over Aghada in Rostellan on Sunday morning as they won 3-13 to 0-7. The team in green and white were in control right from the off with Grantas Bucinskas and Daniel O’Connell both impressing in the forward department with the pair both scoring 1-3 with Bucinskas converting a free and a 45. Mark Healy hit 1-1 for the winners.
Kanturk are top of the pile on 13 points, one-point clear of Mallow and Castletownbere in what is now a three-way tie for elevation. Aghada, coached by Larry Tompkins, are now favourites to join Nemo Rangers’ second string in dropping down with the East-Cork side occupying the final relegation spot but are just a point behind Macroom.
The pressure is still on Kanturk and that’s a credit to the other teams. Castletownbere defeated Rockchapel 0-12 to 1-4 in what was a huge promotion battle played in Cloughduv. Gary Murphy was the main man, as he usually is for the Beara side. As a result of this match, the Rock’s promotion dream is now over. Mallow picked up a win at the weekend without kicking a ball after Nemo Rangers’ reserves conceded the game. Nemo were already demoted prior to the weekend.
Kilshannig have taken a significant step towards safety after a stunning 3-14 to 0-9 win over Bishopstown away from home at the weekend. The Glantane based side had started Round 8 only out of the drop zone on scoring difference but are now on seven points, two points clear of Aghada who occupy the final relegation place. Bishopstown’s early-season form has stalled in recent weeks with Mark Driscoll’s side in mid-table on eight points going into the final day of the league season.
Newmarket are another side who turned it on when the pressure was on after surviving a late Macroom comeback to win 3-12 to 3-11. Newmarket had looked like they were home and hosed after they led 3-12 to 1-9 after 55 minutes but were hanging on towards the end. Two goals from Hugh O’Connor and a beauty from Dave Cotterill proved crucial for the winning side.
Aidan O’Mahony’s Macroom are now third from bottom going into the final round with the Muskerry club on six points from eight games.
In Division 1 there were wins for St Finbarr’s, Newcestown, and Nemo Rangers with match reports on all those games on the EchoLive website. Castlehaven and Carrigaline shared the spoils with Carrigaline favourites to join Nemo in the league decider going into the final day.
The promotion and relegation places were sorted prior to the second last weekend of the league season in Division 2 with Clonakilty and St Michael’s elevated while Kiskeam and Clyda Rovers were demoted.
The match report from St Michael’s two-point defeat at home to Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh can be read on the EchoLive website.
Results from Divisions 4, 5, 6 and 7 are below. Buttevant secured promotion from Division 5 after an awesome 3-10 to 0-5 home win over Millstreet. The other promotion place will go to either Adrigole or Kilmurry with both sides joint second.
Finally, Gabriel Rangers and Ballinora have sealed elevation out of Division 6.
MCCARTHY INSURANCE GROUP FOOTBALL LEAGUE RESULTS (Divisions 4 to 7)
Division 4: Bantry Blues 2-9 Aghabullogue 5-11; Bandon 0-11 Iveleary 2-11; Glanmire 2-14 St Vincent’s 0-6; Ilen Rovers 1-11 Naomh Abán 4-12.
Division 5: Glenville 2-12 Dromtarriffe 0-6; Adrigole 3-16 Ballydesmond 1-5; Kinsale 1-10 Kilmurry 0-14; Buttevant 3-10 Millstreet 0-5.
Division 6: Ballinora 1-12 Aghinagh 1-10; Mayfield 1-7 Kildorrery 3-17; Gabriel Rangers 1-8 Cobh 1-9.
Division 7: Castlemagner 2-13 Canovee 0-8; Cullen 2-10 St James 0-6; St Finbarr’s 1-14 Ballyhooly 3-13.