CLONAKILTY AFC’s trailblazing U19 team held their nerve to clinch the Cork Youth League U19 Division 1A title on the final day of the season.

A 6-2 away win against Carrigaline United fired Clonakilty to the top of the table on 29 points from 12 games, and crucially one point ahead of second-placed Riverstown, who finished as runners-up.

It was a special moment for Clonakilty’s U19s, who have become the first West Cork team to win a league title in the Cork Youth League.

It was also vindication of their decision to go again this season.

Clon captain Tim Bailey receives the league trophy.

‘At the end of last season we weren’t sure whether we were going to enter the Cork Youth League again at U19 level. We finished a very long U18 season, missing the league title by a single point, but also reaching the last 32 of the FAI Youth Cup,’ coach Craig Scott explained.

‘When we asked if the boys wanted to go at it again, of course they did. I was ready to commit to them again for another year.

‘Working with them is easy – they want to learn, they adapted to the style of play very quickly and played some very good football throughout the year.

‘They are a great bunch of lads, and some have been playing together since they were six or seven years old. Now, in their last season as youth players, they are champions.’

The victorious Clonakilty U19 squad includes Olan Murphy, Rory McCarthy, Eoghan Minihan, Sean Murphy, Rory O’Neill, Adam Sexton, Charlie McCarthy, Tim Bailey (captain), Finn O’Mahony, James Maguire, Alex O’Regan, Denis Shanahan, Luke O’Regan, Joseph Allen, Anthony Jackson-Wiseman, Darragh Murphy, Ruairí O’Sullivan, Sean Gough, Ruairí Murphy, Paddy O’Crowley, Peader Dinnen and Ben Harrington.