West Cork Schoolobys U16 Cup 2007-08 Review

Togher Celtic made up for the heartbreak of missing out on the U16 league title by deservedly lifting the 2007-08 West Cork Schoolboys U16 Cup following a hard fought 1-0 final victory over Skibbereen.

10 teams entered the Cup competition with Bay Rovers and Bunratty United drawn together in the only opening round fixture. Lyre Rovers would meet the winners in the quarter finals with Clonakilty AFC vs. Leeside, Skibbereen vs. Drinagh Rangers and Riverside Athletic vs. Togher Celtic completing the draw. The inclement weather at the beginning of the year played havoc with the fixture list until the tournament ended on the 5th of April with Skibb and Togher meeting in the showpiece final in Mullough.


The U16 Cup began on the 12th of January with a quarter final between Skibb and Drinagh Rangers the only fixture to survive a weekend of horrendous weather. What a cup tie it turned out to be with extra time failing to split two evenly matched sides. The weather was atrocious throughout with a gale force wind and driving rain making attractive football difficult until Skibb broke the deadlock just before the break when Darragh Leonard netted to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Rangers used the wind to good effect in the second period with Gavin Connolly netting from 15 yards to level the tie at 1-1. Drinagh made it 2-1 shortly afterwards when Connolly set up Brian Hurley to score. Skibbereen pushed every player forward in search of a goal and were rewarded with a dramatic equaliser deep into injury time. Jonathan Davis reacted quickest after a goalmouth scramble to stab the ball home and take the game into extra time. There was no further scoring in the additional period so penalties were required to decide the outcome. The shoot-out went to sudden death (5-5) before Danny O'Donovan converted to put the home side 6-5 ahead. Donnagh McCarthy saved Drinagh's next spot kick to send the Skibbereen team into the semi finals.

Bunratty United knocked out Bay Rovers 5-1 in a re-arranged first round tie in Kealkil on the 26th of January. Goals from Jack Twomey, Cormac Wholley, Eddie Goggin and a brace from Sean Evans earned United their place in the quarter finals. Alan Thomas scored Rovers solitary goal. On the same afternoon Togher Celtic travelled to Balineen to face Riverside Athletic in a local derby. Celtic were pushed all the way by the eventual League winners but emerged with a 2-0 win to qualify for the semi finals. Strikes in either half from Fin Collins and David Collins booked Togher’s place in the final four. Leeside caused a minor upset when the Inchigeela outfit knocked Clonakilty AFC out of the Cup with a well deserved 4-2 quarter final victory in Ballyvackey. The visitors hit the front after 19 minutes when Ben Shorten crossed for Sean O’Leary to steal in and finish confidently from 10 yards. Cian Dineen made it 2-0 when the Leeside midfielder sprinted clear of the Clon defence and slotted home. Clon refused to lie down and pulled one back through Conor McKahey after a frantic goalmouth scramble. The Inchigeela side were not to be denied and extended their lead on the hour mark when Kevin Manning netted. The visitors made sure of the victory late in the game when David Hourihane raced clear and slipped the ball into the net. There was still time for a late consolation from Clonakilty when Eoin Feen scored with an incredible 30 yard lob. Bunratty United travelled to Knockskeagh and defeated Lyre Rovers 3-1 in the last of the quarter final ties. The visitors took an early lead through a Jack Twomey penalty and doubled their advantage shortly before the break with another Twomey effort. Lyre fought back valiantly and pulled one back with a long range Ethan Draper free kick until Bunratty pounced to seal their victory in the dying seconds through a Sonny O'Regan effort.


Skibbereen defeated Leeside 2-0 to qualify for the U16 Cup final in a wind-swept Baltimore road on the 8th of March. Leeside goalkeeper, Shane Galvin, put in a man of the match display with a string of world class saves but couldn’t prevent the cup holders from progressing. An own goal and a late Ger Minihane effort propelled Skibbereen into the final despite an un-inspiring performance. Togher Celtic defeated Bunratty United 4-1 in the second semi final in Togher on the 22nd of March. Celtic’s Diarmuid O'Brien scored the only goal of the first half. Fintan Collins added a second on the hour mark but Bunratty United responded well and pulled a goal back 5 minutes later. The Togher defence held firm and Celtic made sure of the victory with two late goals from Declan Coughlan and Brian O'Sullivan to seal a memorable win.


The WCSL U16 Cup final took place on the 5th of April on the immaculate playing surface in Mullough, Dunmanway between (holders) Skibbereen and Togher Celtic. A solitary strike from ace marksman, Declan Coughlan, won the coveted trophy for Togher after an open, entertaining encounter. In the 22nd minute Cian O'Mahony's superb run and cross was met by a fantastic first-time volley from the in-rushing Coughlan who gave the Skibb goalkeeper no chance with a stunning finish. It was a goal worthy of winning any cup final and despite a gallant fight-back from Skibbereen Togher Celtic eventually ran out deserving winners to claim the SuperValu WCSL U16 Cup for the 2007-08 campaign.


SuperValu WCSL U16 Cup 2007-08 Results:
1st Round: Bay Rovers 1 Bunratty United 5.
Quarter Finals: Clonakilty AFC 2 Leeside 4, Skibbereen 2 Drinagh Rangers 2 (aet Skibb won 6-5 on penalties), Riverside Athletic 0 Togher Celtic 2, Lyre Rovers 1 Bunratty United 3.
Semi Finals: Togher Celtic 4 Bunratty United 1, Skibbereen 2 Leeside 0.
U16 Cup Final: Togher Celtic 1 Skibbereen 0.