Business League roundup: Crookstown and Helio Inter Cork battle for the title
The late Frank O'Neill, far right. with fellow assistant Michael O'Connor, left. and referee Zlatko Kristic along with Mark Finn (QC Data) and Chris Matthews (Abtran) before the Sports Gear Direct First Division Cup Final at Turner's Cross on Tuesday, June 14th 2011
CROOKSTOWN went on the offensive from the off at Conna to quickly banish the memory of the previous weekend’s Mooney Cup cup semi-final defeat to UCC United.
However, Valley’s stubborn defence held out till nineteen minutes from time when Evan Carroll (2), Anthony Hannon and Jonathan Buckley scored to preserve United’s lead at the top. William Buckley was outstanding for Crookstown between the posts when he got down smartly to save a one-on-one with the contest still even.
With six matches to play Tim Irwin’s charges are well in the hunt for title honours in what is increasingly looking likely to be a showdown with in-form rivals Helio Inter Cork.
Suro and Longboats served up an entertaining contest at Mayfield Community School where the visitors recovered from three down to draw goals after Brian Walsh, Sean Holmes and Callan Dempsey looked to have sealed the points for the home team. Sean Nagle (2) and Eoin Hill got the visitors back in the game.
Another commanding performance for title-challenging Helio produced three first-half goals courtesy of José Guerra (2) and José Gomes. Guerra, Juan de Villa, Vitor Granja, William Mendonca and an own goal all scored in the second 45 to bring the winner’s total in the last six games to an incredible forty-one goals while only conceding three.
Champions Swyft showed no mercy to NetApp at Mayfield Park to remain unbeaten in the campaign.
The hosts began with a high tempo and went in front on 10 minutes after Damien O’Mahony headed in a corner. Ian Kent cut in from the left to fire into the top corner before going on to add two more before the end of the half.
The in-form Dale Donoughue netted a fifth which was quickly followed by a double from Nathan. It was fitting that Ian Kent should round off proceedings with the club’s 100th league goal when he coolly rounded the keeper to roll the ball into the back of the net.
Desmond Ajayi and Mohamed Karim Vangahun scored for the visitors.
The Weigh Inn and HBC shared the spoils at the Regional Park with Ivan Milicevic and Dan Smith on target for Dripsey and Stuart McSweeney and David O’Sullivan, in the 88th minute, replying for Rovers in a four-goal second-half salvo.
Healy’s got back to playing again at Garryduff after a lengthy lay-off and put a dent in ASH’s title aspirations after John McLoughlin cancelled out Scott McCarthy’s opener.
After Aaron Smith opened the scoring from a thirty yard screamer, Darren McGrath headed the second in the 58th minute. Sam Heffernan made it three from a penalty in the 71st minute for the Barbers who had keeper Liam Blackburn to thank for making a terrific double save early in the contest.
Rory Murphy and Darragh O’Connor were impressive for Jay Bazz who are still in the title race.
Suro Cars opened their evening account with a 3-1 win over Fisherman’s Rest Valley Rangers to remain fifth in the table.
After Paul Collins and Ken O’Brien put Suro two up in the first half hour, Cian Doyle reduced the deficit early in the second 45.
Valley pushed on for the equaliser but found themselves vulnerable to a counter-attack from which Jack Murphy availed to seal the win in the minute.
Jason Quirke, Callan Dempsey and Ken O’Connor impressed for the winners with Valley’s young keeper Jaydan O’Connor made a number of fine saves.In the premier Arc Rovers kept their slim hopes of survival alive by getting the better of Martin Harvey Solicitors at the Regional Park on the Wednesday night.
From two down at half time, Rovers stormed back score four times courtesy of a brace each from James Moynihan and Ian Leahy to win 4-3 at the finish.
On Thursday night at Deerpark Secondary, Satellite Taxis fell to a 5-2 defeat to Andy Sull’s Hair. After Satellite started well, doing in front when Paul Connolly set up Brian Wade for a brilliant finish, the visitors got back in the game through a controversial penalty from Scott McCarthy to go 3-1 up before a Jason Meehan header reduced the deficit.
After being reduced to 10 following a sending off ASH tagged on two more second-half goals.
Across the city on difficult underfoot conditions at the Regional Park, Helio Inter Cork kept the pressure on leaders Crookstown United by overcoming Co Council 4-0. Jose Gomes and leading scorer Gabriel Cerini scored in both halves with goalkeeper Jamie O’Sullivan contributing with two assists.
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