CSKA Crowned Champions

Wednesday Division 1

CSKA Tongo were crowned champions in their first season as they overcame Racing Club 4-1 in a winner take all clash in the last game of the season. CSKA got their tactics right this time around as Racing, who had beaten Tongo 6-2 earlier in the season, normally play deep and play for the fast counter attack, were caught a bit off guard when CSKA seemed to adopt the same tactic. This tactic paid off as they went in front after 15 minutes when MVP nominee Philip Cotter finished off a fast break move. Padraig McGovern equalised for Racing, through a powerful shot for Racing and the sides were nicely poised 1-1 at the break. However Tongo had the edge in the 2nd period as they showed superior ability to hold on to the ball in the final 3^rd of the pitch, where they found a few gaps and scored 3 times through John Duggan and Andrew Daunt (2).

Edward Noonan was excellent for Racing on the night as was Philip Cotter for the newly crowned champions.

Baggios saved their best performance of the season as they easily overcame Hit or Miss.

Tom McCarthy and Darragh O’Regan were too hot to handle for an under strength Hit or Miss side. Ronan Sherman also showed some creative touches in the Baggios midfield.

CUH and Fritzl Palace both had walkovers and played out a 2-2 entertaining friendly.

Dan Gallaher scored twice for Palace. Gary Kearney and man of the match Gavin Summers were the CUH scorers.

Wednesday Division 2

Crystal Fallace were crowned Champions with a week to spare as they beat the Lemmons 6-2. Pat O Regan who this season has walked away with the Golden Boot scored 4 times and was very impressive in doing so. Con Creedon who has had an excellent season for Fallace gave another very solid performance for the newly crowned Champions.

Rosies scuppered AC Standards chances of taking the fight for honours to the last week by holding them to a 2-2 draw, and in doing so handed the title to Fallace. Colin Murphy was man of the match in midfield for Rosies and scored the Carrigaline lads 2^nd goal. Rob Doherty scored Standard’s late equaliser.

MVP Nominee John O Brien was again in top form for FC Coping Badly as they beat the Avengers 5-1. However the game was tighter than the scoreline suggests and only 3 late goals from Mark Kennifick, Martin Hallahan and O’Brien secured the points.

Thursday Division 1

Ezy FC took the title here in another dramatic last 15 minutes. They drew 2-2 with the Boothouse Bingers and finished 1 point ahead of last seasons Champions the All Blacks. The All Blacks who were playing at the same time on the adjacent pitch needed to win and hope that Ezy FC would lose, and they also needed a 4 goal swing to make up the goal difference. It was looking good for them with 10 minutes to go as they were leading Sliabh na mBan  4-2, and Ezy were losing 2-1 to the Bingers, but a late goal by Golden Boot winner Dave Johnson gave Ezy the point they needed and the title. Martin Lyons was the star man for Ezy on the night and fitted seamlessly into their midfield this season.

The Bandits overcame Apple Exiles who produced a gallant effort with only 6 players, but tired towards the end and conceded late goals. Keith O’Donoghue was best for the Bandits.

Thursday Division 2

Congratulations to O’Higgins FC who were crowned Division 2 Champions, also in their maiden season, after a really tough 1-1 draw with Sons of Pitches. The Pitches went into this final fixture 2 points behind O’Higgins and needing a win for honours. After 20 minutes Chris Baker was quickest to latch onto a loose ball outside the box and drove home the opener for O’Higgins to put them firmly in the driving seat. Danger man and top scorer for O’Higgins Sean O Neill, was well marshalled by the Pitches, who worked hard and got their reward midway through the 2^nd half when Alan O’Sullivan scored a deserved equaliser. This led to a high tension and testing time for the referee for the last 15 minutes, where a goal for the Pitches would have given them the title. But O’Higgins defended well where Paul Cashman was excellent and they held on for the win.

Ciaren McArtan was the best player on the pitch as he led the Flying Column to a comfortable 7-1 win over Men Utd, who were only a goal down at the break and were well in the game. However some mistakes by the Men Utd keeper led to a rather one sided 2^nd half where Alan Mullery and McArtan were very impressive.

JT Specials drew 6-6 with the Whitfords in a very open and attacking game for the last game of the season. Gavin Rosser and Rob Carpenter both shared hatricks. Balaga Tongo and Paniteastcork also play out an exciting 4-4 draw to bring this Footy Autumn 2012 season to a close.

Wednesday Division 2 - 19^th Dec

Champions Crystal Fallace put the icing on the cake as they beat nearest rivals AC Standard comprehensively. MVP nominee Bill Henry was excellent between the sticks for Standard once again and only for some wonderful saves the score would have been much more. Darragh O Regan showed once again that he is a top division Footy Player when he scored 4 of Fallace’s 6 goals. Paul Kilcoyne and Kevin Broderick scored 2 wonderful goals for Standard but they were totally outclassed by the deserved champions.

Andy O Mahony, normally a solid defender, was deployed  at centre forward for the Lemmons and it worked a treat he scored 3  times to help the Lemmons to a 4-3 victory over FC Coping Badly in a hard fought but very sporting game.

Rosies and The Avengers played out another tight game, that finished 1 a piece. Dean Long and Ronan Farrally shared 2^nd half goals. Farrally had put Rosies up with a neat header after a long throw by Paddy Cronin. Long equalised with a lovely half volley after some good work by the hard working Joey Herrity. A draw being a fair result.