AUL season ends with three  Team of the Month award winners announced

At a recent presentation held in Heineken Ireland’s hospitality room, three teams from the Cork AUL were presented with team of the month awards for March, April and May.

The team of the month for March was an easy choice to make as Belmount Celtic were the side to shine throughout that month.

Their biggest moment arrived at St. Coleman’s Park where they lifted the President’s Cup after a 4-2 victory over Castlebridge Celtic.

Other victories that month included a 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over Boscos in the first round of the County Cup after a 2-2 draw over extra time.

Then, two more victories followed in the league when they won at home to Glenthorn Celtic B 3-0 and later, Watergrasshill United 2-0.

So, Belmount Celtic were worthy winners for the month of March.

League 1 side Corkbeg got the nod for April’s team of the month award after a very successful month with regard to results in both cup and league activity.

They started off this period with a 3-2 victory at home to Grattan B to add three points to their tally in League 1.

They added three more points after a very good team performance saw them defeat Boher Celtic 3-0 at home after that.

Then, in the quarter-final of the County Cup, they recorded a convincing 5-1 victory over Mogeely B at Whitegate before finishing off the month with a 4-1 victory away to Hibs B in the first round of the Corinthian’s Cup.

Strand United A got the nod for the team-of-the-month award for May after their success in the Henry Healy Cup.

Following a 2-1 Premier A win away to Springfield, Strand A won their play-off game in the Healy Cup against Shandon Celtic with a 4-2 victory at O’Neill Park.

This qualified them to play CFC Banteer, who were leaders of the other section in the final at the MTU on Saturday May 23.

And following a close encounter, Diarmuid McDonagh’s 15th minute strike was the difference between the two sides as Strand A ran out narrow 1-0 winners to lift the Henry Healy cup on the day.

Capping a very satisfying season for Strand A then was seeing them finish runners-up to CFC Banteer in Premier A.

Corkbeg’s manager Rory Hannaway was delighted to have received their award.

“We are delighted to have been recognised by the league for winning this award and in the overall scheme of things, we were very happy the way the season went,” said Hannaway.

Strand A’s John Coleman was also very pleased after receiving their award.

“This was the first time ever the club received the team of the month award so, we are all delighted.

“We are looking forward now to life in the Premier league where we are expecting some challenging times ahead,” said Coleman.

Belmount’s Martin O’Sullivan had this to say.

“This was our first time winning the team of the month award.

“We are very happy the way the season went and are looking forward now to playing in League 2 next season,” said O’Sullivan.

It was a tremendous night of celebrations as the three successful team-of-the-month award winners mingled in what was a terrific atmosphere on a night that proved once again to be a huge success for the Cork AUL.