AUL season in review: A memorable year for double by Cork teams in 2013

IN THE latest in our series looking back on a decade of AUL soccer, we’re reflecting on a memorable 2012-13 campaign featured genuine competitiveness across all AUL divisions.

The highlight that season for me was the number of teams that won doubles in both cup and league competitions.

Premier side Killumney United came so close towards winning a massive treble when firstly; goals from David Desmond and Eamon McNamara helped them lift the Mossie Linnane Cup after a 2-0 victory over Blarney Street Athletic at the Cross.

Then, the AOH Cup was added to their trophy cabinet when a 3-0 victory in the penalty shoot-out over Douglas Hall handed them the blue ribbon trophy after 110 minutes of football ended scoreless.

It was Killumney United’s second year on the bounce winning the big prize.

However, a season to really remember eluded them when they suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Coachford in their Premier clash at Killeady.

A win here could have set them up for what could have been a magnificent grand slam that season, but in the end, they had to settle for third spot in the league as Coachford became champions.

Glenthorn Celtic were another side that did ever so well when they came from nowhere to overtake Glenvale and clinch the 1A title in style.

They followed that up by adding the City Challenge Cup to their name after goals from Aidan O’Driscoll and Ryan English helped them defeat Dillon’s Cross in the final at the Cross.

What a sensational ending to the race for the league one title that season we witnessed as Village stole through the last moment to clinch the title.

In their final game of the season, Village had to travel to take on Lakewood who were hot favorites to win the title but, Village’s 3-2 victory that evening meant that Lakewood had to win their final game away to Fairview.

In extraordinary circumstances, they could only manage a draw which meant Village United lifted the title that season.

Village went on to add the St Michael’s Cup to their league title when Howard Coakley got the winner in their 2-1 defeat of Riverstown-Brooklodge in the final at the Cross.

And we are not finished yet with double winners that season.

Division 2A turned out to be a two horse race between Dunbar and Hibs and it had to take a play-off between the two of them in the end to decide it as Hibs came out on top 2-0 to claim the title.

Hibs then went on to win the Saxone Cup after a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over CFC Banteer after it was 1-1 over extra time.

They came close to adding a third trophy to their name, but went down 3-5 in the penalty shoot-out against Richmond following a 1-1 stalemate in the County Cup final.

The excitement of watching teams win doubles that season continued when we witnessed a very exciting Glen Celtic B side that blew the 3A division away by winning in a canter with 10 points to spare over nearest rivals Leeside.

Added to that, they went on to win the President’s Cup after coming from behind to defeat Newmarket 4-1 in the final at the Cross.

Paul Kenneally was their hero that night after notching a hat-trick before Dillon Lonergan got their fourth.

On to the Oscar Traynor Cup now and like previous years, there was a very high level of optimism ahead of the competition.

With plenty of talent spread across the AUL, Manager Donal O’Riordan had the pick from some terrific quality. Let’s reflect over the Cork AUL side’s journey in the competition that season.

Their first encounter was against the Defence Forces at the Cross and if we are to be honest, the Cork AUL were extremely lucky to have come away with a point that evening following a hard-fought 2-2 draw.

Next up was an encounter with the MSL at the Cross where a convincing display earned them a deserved 3-0 victory on the night.

The goals that evening came from Colin Stack (two) and Darren Lynch – both with Park United.

The final game in the opening series was an encounter against Kerry DL and after a scoreless draw that evening, the Cork AUL got the point that took them into the knockout stages.

But, after a disappointing performance against a Clare DL side, the Cork AUL made their exit from the competition following a 1-4 defeat.