St Peter’s player Scott Delaney and Tanya Cannon celebrate the club's success in the Counties Cup and Paddy Cotter Cup at the CCFL awards night. Photo: Ashley Cahill.

Local clubs celebrate success at CCFL awards night

Kieran Galvin

Published: Tue 18 Jun 2024, 2:30 PM

Several local clubs were honoured for their success during the 2023-2024 season at the Combined Counties Football League awards last Friday night.

Willow Park won the Senior Division title which is the top league competition within the CCFL ranks. The race for the Senior Division title, which had been building to an exciting climax, ended with a whimper as Willow Park's last game against Ballinahown was not played. The points for the game were eventually awarded to Willow after the fixture had been postponed for a second time.

Yet the rather strange end to the league campaign does not detract from Willow Park's achievement, the Athlone having only lost one league game over the course of the season.

As things transpired, Willow's draw away to local rivals St Peter's in their second last game was enough for Colin Fortune's charges to secure the league crown.

St Peter's atoned for missing out on the Senior Division title in fine style by capturing the Combined Counties Cup, adding that coveted trophy to the Paddy Cotter Cup which the westside club had previously secured.

And the McCarthy Park outfit was selected for the Club Merit Award at last Friday night's function held in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore.

Temple Villa enjoyed a progressive season, winning the Division 1 Cup and reaching the Counties Cup final for the first time in over 40 years. St Peter's proved a bridge too far for the Mount Temple-based club in that final, but Villa can reflect on their season with considerable satisfaction.

Meanwhile, Moate Celtic claimed the Division 3 title, finishing ahead of second-placed Clonown Rovers.

St Joseph's were chosen for the Special Appreciation Award by virtue of their Under-16 SFAI Cup success - the second year in a row for the Monksland club to achieve success at national level. The various award winners are listed below.

Award winners

Special Appreciation Award: St Joseph's FC (Athlone).

International Recognition Award: Sam Watkin and Davy Dyer (Mullingar Town).

Fair Play Award: Killoe FC.

Young Player Merit Award: Jacob Browne (Tullamore Town).

Referee Appreciation Award: Leslie Buckley (Offaly Branch ISRS).

Women’s Player Merit Award: Caoimhe Kenna (Mountmellick United).

Senior Player Merit Award: Jason Charles (Mullingar Town).

Club Merit Award: St Peter's FC.

The Frank O'Connell Hall of Fame Award: Sean Flynn (Clonaslee United).

Contribution to Football Award: Liam McGovern (Mullingar Athletic).

Club of the Year: Mountmellick United.