Whitfords Win Battle Of The Veterans

Thursday Division 3

The Whitfords overcame the Flying Column in the battle of the veterans last Thursday. The average age on the Whitfords team is 42, and on the Flying Column side is even more at an impressive 47, with some lads in their 50’s, so this game was all about bragging rights for the season. The aging bodies on both these teams deserve enormous credit for competing each week with lads that are sometimes more than half their age. Both these teams went into this tie with confidence after good results the previous week when the Column beat Shanty Utd 2-1, while the Whitfords played out of their skin to gain a 3-3 draw with a very strong Panicyakios team.The Column deservedly led 1-0 at the break thanks to an excellent finish from Ciaran Barry midway through the first half. However they conceded a soft goal just seconds into the 2nd half and this was a game changer as Whitfords ran the game over the next 20 minutes when they ran in 3 more goals. Kevin O Connell was very influential for the Whitfords and is playing some of his best football in years, and serious credit is due to him after coming back from a nasty knee injury last year. Jesper Peterson, Jack Russell, Steve Brown and O’Connell were all on the mark for Whitfords. To the Flying Columns credit, with Dave McCool and Barry leading the way, they never gave up and finished the game strongly and deservedly scored a 2nd through an Alan Mullery volley, for the games best goal.        After 4 games in this division, The Exiles lead with 10 points after 3 wins and a draw. They beat the Barrels 7-4 last week to stay top. Jermey Delea was again their best player and was on target twice as were Mark and Paul Ryan. This well organised outfit with Terry O’Connell and Rory O’Sullivan being most influential in organising their defence, should be in the mix for honours come May.Panicyakios also won last week after a hard fought 2-0 win over Shanty Utd. A last minute goal from Steven Aherne sealing the points for the Cobh lads. Despite the best efforts of PJ Aherne for Shanty in goal, Panicyakios had a bit too much football for their dogged opponents and probably just about deserved the win. Panicyakios should defenitely be contenders with some very strong players in their line up. Conor Hawes and man of the match Paul Stanton to mention just two. Darren Burns and keeper Aherne were best for Shanty.Men Utd had their first win of the season as they easily overcame Black Gold. The Black Gold line up are conceding many goals but have brought a great attitude to Footy as they are determined to just enjoy each fixture. Danny O Driscoll and Padraig McGovern both scored 4 times as did Leonardo along with a brace from Ahmed alSahow for Black Gold who are all from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Thursday Division 2

Defender Gavin Spillane scored his first ever goal at Footy, when he popped up with a great volley for the games late winner against Hardly Athletic. This goal puts River Plate back on top of this division, as they slipped up last week against FC Copenbadly when they lost 8-3. Kevin Wilmott scored a brace for the Carrigaline lads for a hard earned 3-2 win.Hardly slipped to 3rd with this defeat, and conceded 2nd place to Mount Oval who had a tough battle with FC Copen Badly. Mount Oval will be more determined this season to finish top of the pile as they went so close last season. Philip Healy and Brian Connell were again to the fore for the Oval as they beat FC Copen Badly 3-1.The Sons of Pitches also won by the same scoreline against and under strength Cork Celtic team. Ken Browne with a brace for the Pitches who had Alan White in top form.Rob Carpenter scored 4 times for the JT Specials as they beat the Cowboys 7-1. They defended superbly against the Cowboys had had an awful lot of possesion and played on the counter attack to great effect with Carpenter capitalising the most for the Specials.This division will more than likely go down right to the wire, with lots of close encounters forecast in the weeks ahead.

Thursday Division 1

The Booze Buddies won an early season top of the Table clash against the Thirty Somethings by a 6-0 scoreline. This game was expected to be a lot tighter but the Somethings will rue a couple of missed chances early in the game that were cleared of the line. The Booze Buddies dominated after they scored their first after 10 minutes. Jimmy Griffin's quickness of Feet and subtle skills were very evident, and Owen Kinsella also did well for the winners, with Trevor Rowe scoring twice.Ezy are back to winning ways after a shaky start to the season when they went down 3-2 to the Somethings on week one and drew with the Dreamers on the second week. Last week they dispatched an understrength Net Busters side rather easily. The goal of the game coming from John Daly when he hit a rasping first time drive from a tight angle that hit both uprights before going in the net after and excellent daisy cutting cross field pass from Steve Dwyer. Prediction here is for The Booze Buddies to contend with Ezy for the title. However Ezy may have the edge after beating them already 7-5 on week 3 in a pulsating game.The Dreamers had their first win when they easily beat Boca Seniors, who were a man short and tired late in the game when the Dreamers were most clinical. Rory Perry again showed his sharpness in front of goal as he scored 4 times for The Dreamers.