West Cork Schoolboys League - U14 League Weekend Preview

The 2007 - 2008 West Cork Schoolboys League kicks-off tomorrow with the opening day of the U14 league. Eleven clubs begin their quest to win the coveted W.C.S.L U14 league title: Ballydehob, Bay Rovers, Bunratty United, Clonakilty AFC, Clonakilty AFC Youths, Drinagh Rangers, Harbour United, Lyre Rovers, Riverside Athletic, Skibbereen and Togher Celtic.

The format for this season’s U14 league sees each side play one another once, guaranteeing a minimum of ten league fixtures. The top four ranked teams at the end of the regular season progress to a round-robin play off tournament to decide the U14 League Champions. Drinagh Rangers dominated the 06-07 season by winning both U14 league and cup competitions.

U14 League debutantes, Ballydehob, are at home Clonakilty AFC in Rathvane with a noon kick off. Harbour United take on Riverside Athletic in their first game at U14 level at 12:30 tomorrow. Both Ballydehob and Harbour will need to pick up points as quickly possible if they are to establish themselves at U14 level this season. Clonakilty have entered two teams in the U14 league this year (AFC and AFC Youths). AFC struggled at U14 level last season but managed to reach the U14 Shield semi-finals where they lost 4-1 to eventual winners, Lyre Rovers.

Bay Rovers entertain Bunratty United in Kealkil at noon. Bunratty topped U14 Group B last season but struggled in the play-offs where they failed to win a game. United will be hoping for a positive start but Bay Rovers are never an easy prospect at home. United will start as favourites after their positive showing in the league last season. Bay Rovers are still very much an unknown quantity but a good start to the season could see them challenging for a place in the play-offs.

Togher Celtic and Clonakilty AFC Youths meet in Togher at 12:30. The home side were the surprise package of last season’s league. Celtic topped U14 Group A and finished 3rd overall in the play-offs. Togher followed up their league success by going all the way to the U14 Cup final only to be defeated 4-1 by double winners Drinagh Rangers. Togher Celtic met Clonakilty AFC twice last season in U14 Group A and won easily on both occasions. The homes side will be expecting all three points tomorrow.

The highly anticipated clash between current U14 League champions, Drinagh Rangers and Skibbereen has been postponed. Drinagh have decided to take a cancellation and the fixture will be re-scheduled at a later date. Skibb finished runners-up in the U14 play-offs to Drinagh last season and will be one of the favourites to de-throne the reigning Champions this time around. Drinagh Rangers first defence of their U14 title will now be at home to Togher Celtic on September the 15th. Skibbereen open their league campaign on the same day against Harbour United. Last season's U14 Shield winners, Lyre Rovers, have a bye this weekend. Rovers are at home to Riverside Athletic U14 in their first league game on September the 15th.


U14 WCSL LEAGUE FIXTURES
Saturday 1st Sept 2007

Ballydehob vs. Clonakilty AFC
at Noon in Rathvane, Ballydehob

Bay Rovers vs. Bunratty United
at Noon in Lisheens, Kealkil

Riverside Athletic vs. Harbour United
at 12:30 - venue to be confirmed

Skibbereen vs. Drinagh Rangers
POSTPONED - Drinagh taking cancellation

Togher Celtic vs. Clonakilty AFC Youths
at 12:30 in Togher

Visit www.westcorkschoolboysleague.com for further details.