Busy weekend of Youth soccer action as FAI U17 Cup and U19 Daly Cup games take centre stage

There is another action-packed fixture list this weekend across the Cork Youth League’s with FAI U17 Cup, U19 Daly Cup and a host of important Daly Industrial Supplies League games to be played, weather permitting.

Firstly, I want to congratulate Conor Murray, his management team and all his squad for keeping the Cork flag flying in the FAI Inter-League, when they came from behind to beat Donegal 4-1 at Abbotstown. They now play Dublin and District Youths in the final in the coming weeks.

Tomorrow, U17 Premier League joint leaders Douglas Hall welcome Kildare side Newbridge Town to Moneygourney for an FAI U17 game at 1.30pm. 

The Hall are unbeaten in all competitions this season and have match-winners in Macdarragh Lynch, who grabbed a hat-trick against Mungret Regional in their U17 Munster Cup game, Tom Collins, Eoin McCarthy, Vilson Sefolli and Finn Doyle. 

However, Newbridge won’t be a pushover. 

In the same competition, Leeds journey over the county bounds to take on Killarney Celtic at 4pm, Kinsale are also away from home as they clash with Pike Rovers at 1.30pm in Limerick, while Midleton, joint league leaders, lock horns with Villa FC at O’Connor Park in Waterford at 3pm. 

On Sunday, Leeside United head to Galway to play Mervue United at 2pm.

There is only one U17 Premier League game with Carrigaline United entertaining Youghal United at Ballea Park at 7pm. 

Carrigaline were involved in a classic 5-5 draw with Kinsale last weekend, so this game should have plenty of goals.

There’s also only one U17 League 1 fixture with Mallow United facing off with Blarney United at St Mary’s Pitch at 2pm.

Kilworth, who still haven’t dropped points this season and are top of U17 League 1A with 18 points, should be too strong for Fermoy when they clash at Sheila Flynn Park at 2pm. 

Third-placed Midleton, with 15 points after seven games, entertain basement side Carrigtwohill United at Knockgriffin Park, 5pm.

Saturday morning at 11am, Mallow Town have an U19 Daly Cup fixture with Douglas Hall at Carhookeal Park. 

On Sunday, Carrigaline United clash with Lakewood Athletic at Ballea Park at 6.30pm, while Clonakilty must make the journey to Knockgriffin Park to play Midleton at 5pm.

On Sunday in the U18 Premier League, Ken Bruton’s ever-improving Avondale United host Fermoy, Lakewood Athletic play third-placed Midleton in Ovens, while Dave Butler’s Douglas Hall face neighbours Carrigaline United A at Moneygourney.

There is a huge game in the U18 League 1 where the top two Kanturk and Midleton collide at Gurteenard at 2pm. 

They locked together on 21 points in the table but Kanturk do have a game in hand, so this will be a key fixture in the title race. 

Blarney United welcome Inch United to O’Shea Park, Buttevant play Mayfield United at Abbeyview and College Corinthians lock horns with Ivan Bevan’s Passage at Castletreasure.

Leaders in the U18 League 1A, Mallow Town, can extend their lead against Youghal United at Carhookeal, while second-placed Kinsale will want to stay in touch when they play Ballincollig at Madden Park.