Cork Youth League season in review: Epic action at U17, U18 and U19 levels
Leeds AFC captain Adam Mannix lifts the Tom O’Callaghan U18 Cup as his teammates celebrate victory over Kinsale at Rockmount Park. Picture Chani Anderson.
After another busy Cork Youth League season, we reflect on all the action from U17 to U19.
The U17 Premier was won by Midleton U17 who finished seven points ahead of Carrigaline United. Four teams could have challenged this year with Midleton, Carrigaline, Leeside and Lakewood all playing some great football and next season should be just as exciting.
Midleton also reached the FAI U17 Cup final and won the Teddy Healy Cup, while Leeside United lifted the U17 Gussie Walsh Cup. St Mary's and Passage U17 were relegated from U17 Premier.
The U17 League 1, was another tight affair with both Carrigaline and Leeds on level points for the majority of the season. Carrigaline beat Leeds in the second last game of the season but Leeds were able to win their final game against Macroom to ensure they claimed top spot and promotion to the Premier. They also were on to win the U17 Tom O’Callaghan Cup.
Leeside and Macroom were both relegated.
The U17 League 1A, was another tight affair with Midleton, Kanturk, Youghal and Riverstown all competing for the title. In the end Midleton just pipped it finishing on 36 points ahead of Kanturk on 33 points.
Relegated were Mogeely and Watergrasshill United.
The U17 League 2, was won by Lakewood Athletic who were the team to catch right from the start. Only losing one goal game all season made them worthy champions and runners-up were Blarney United.
Relegated were Douglas Hall and Mallow United.
U17 League 3, was another very tight affair with no team winning all their games. Carrigtwohill, Everton, Wilton and Pearse were all in for a title or promotion but Carrigwtwoll finished on top, two points ahead of Everton with both teams promoted.
Relegated were Passage and Grenagh United.
College Corinthians were too strong for the rest in the U17 League 4. They lost one game all season and finished eight points clear of Leeside in second.
The U18 Premier was won by the all-conquering College Corinthians. Five competitions entered and won the FAI Youth Cup, Munster Youth Cup, League, League Cup and Murphy Cup.
They didn’t lose a single game all season. An incredible achievement.
Lakewood Athletic finished second on 25 points. Douglas Hall and Passage did make it to the Murphy Cup and League Cup finals respectively.
The U18 League 1 was the most competitive league this season. With four games remaining, we still had Rockmount, Innishvilla, Everton and Bandon playing for a league title or promotion. Rockmount and Innishvilla pulled away but could not be separated so we will have a league playoff to decide who will be promoted as champions and runners-up.
The U18 League 1A was won convincingly by Douglas Hall who were too strong for the rest and only lost two games all season. They ended up with 52 points and Lakewood were runners-up with 39 points. They also reached the U18 Sean Williams Cup final, however, they were defeated 2-0 by Bandon.
The U18 League 2, was a two-horse race all the way to the last game of the season. Both Buttevant and Clonakilty went into the final games of the season on level points knowing a win for each would send the league to a playoff.
Unfortunately for Clonakilty they came up against a defiant Ballinhasisg who spoiled the party as the game ended in a 3-3 draw. Buttevant were league winners with Clonakilty in a respectable second.
For the third year in a row the U19 League 1 was captured by Ringmahon Rangers. With their senior and junior teams doing so well at present its clear to see that the U19 league has served them well. They finished the season unbeaten and 10 points clear of Carrigaline United. They also lifted the Daly U19 Cup beating Rockmount in the final 4-1.
U19 League 1A was a far closer affair as Kinsale and Mogeely couldn’t be separated in the campaign. The league went to a playoff where Mogeely came out on top on what was a thrilling game.
Springfield Ramblers also had a very successful season winning the U19 League Cup and Shield.
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