JOHN Caulfield was guest of honour at the West Cork League’s U19, Women’s 7s and Beamish Cup draws at the Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway on Tuesday evening.
The former Cork City FC manager was greeted by a large attendance and drew out the names of the clubs that will face one another in each of the upcoming WCL knockout competitions.
West Cork League Chairman Tim O’Donovan made a presentation to Caulfield on behalf of the committee, clubs and players, who continue to hold the former City striker and West Cork resident in high esteem.
There were some intriguing matchups drawn out of the hat for both the U19 and Women’s 7s Cups. Pick of the U19 ties sees league leaders Bunratty United travelling to second placed Dunmanway Town while in the women’s competition, Drinagh FC have been handed the onerous challenge of knocking out defending champions Inter Kenmare.
All eyes were on the Beamish Cup draw involving the HiSpecCars.com Premier Division and O’Brien Waters Services Championship clubs. Togher Celtic lifted the famous trophy for the first time in 22 years only seven months ago but have been handed a potential banana skin in the opening round. Drinagh Rangers B host Togher at Canon Crowley Park in the last 16 while last year’s runners-up, Drinagh, will need to be at their best at home to Skibbereen in the opening round.
Three other first round ties include a mouth-watering all-Premier Division tie between Dunmanway Town and Bunratty United while Baltimore will kick-off as underdogs away to high-flying Clonakilty Town. The winners of Castletown Celtic and Castlelack’s clash will be away to Lyre Rovers.
Elsewhere in the Beamish Cup there are plenty of exciting match-ups in prospect including a Championship top of the table meeting between Sullane and Riverside Athletic in Ballyvourney. Whoever emerges from Clon Town and Baltimore’s first round fixture will take on Ballydehob in what should be the tie of the last 16 round. Spartak Mossgrove sit top of the Championship table and will relish an opportunity to take on Drinagh Rangers or Skibbereen on their home ground.
The 2019-2020 WCL Cup draws are as follows (dates and kick-off times to be decided):
West Cork U19 League Cups quarter-finals: Drinagh Rangers v Riverside Athletic, Dunmanway Town v Bunratty United, Togher Celtic v Bantry Bay Rovers, Ardfield v Castlelack.
West Cork League Women’s 7s Cup in association with Cork Sports Partnership quarter-finals: Beara FC v Aultagh Celtic, Bantry Bay Rovers v Drinagh AFC, Drinagh FC v Inter Kenmare, Dunmanway Town v Beara AFC.
West Cork League Beamish Cup – Round 1: Castletown Celtic v Castlelack, Dunmanway Town v Bunratty United, Clonakilty Town v Baltimore FC, Drinagh Rangers v Skibbereen.
West Cork League Beamish Cup – Last 16: Dunmanway Town B v Mizen AFC, Drinagh Rangers B v Togher Celtic, Spartak Mossgrove v Drinagh or Skibbereen, Sullane v Riverside Athletic, Durrus v Aultagh Celtic, Lyre Rovers v Castletown or Castlelack, Kilbrittain Rovers v Dunmanway Town or Bunratty, Clonakilty Town or Baltimore v Ballydehob.
