THE draws for the 2025/26 SFAI National Schoolboys Inter-League competitions have set up some mouthwatering ties involving the West Cork Academy.

We have reached the business end of the schoolboys knockout stages with West Cork hoping to pick up some silverware before season’s end.

At the U12 schoolboys age-grade, West Cork A finished third in Group A behind Kerry and Cork. That outcome has earned the former a home tie in the National Shield preliminary quarter-finals.

Wicklow will be the visitors to West Cork on the weekend of February 14th/15th having finished behind the NERL, Kilkenny, Dundalk and the Midlands in Group G of the opening phase. West Cork U12 B have been drawn away to Mayo in the same competition.

The West Cork Academy U13 Schoolboys will be on their travels in the knockout stages of this year’s SFAI National Shield.

Limerick County will host the latter in a preliminary quarter-final taking place in a fortnight’s time. County finished third in Group C behind Waterford and Tipperary South but ahead of West Waterford/East Cork who they defeated 4-2.

West Cork Academy U14s finished third in Group A of the opening phase of the SFAI Inter-League section. A 3-1 win over Limerick County preceded a 5-0 loss at Kerry and 2-0 defeat at home to Limerick Desmond.

As a result, the academy travelled to Mayo for a National Trophy quarter-final where the visitors registered a terrific 2-0 win.

Now, West Cork will take on Clare in the U12 Schoolboys Trophy semi-finals in Clare. A place in the decider against either Carlow or Limerick County is up for grabs.

West Cork’s U15s have yet to complete their opening Inter-League phase. Drawn in a five-team Group C, the latter currently lie in fourth place ahead of travelling to undefeated group leaders Limerick District in two weekend’s time.

At the U16 age-grade, West Cork has been drawn away to Clare in the National U16 Schoolboys Trophy semi-finals. Victory in that last four encounter would set up a meeting with Wicklow in the Trophy decider.

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Dunmanway Town are the last remaining West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League club involved in this year’s SFAI competitions.

The Dunmanway club has reached the national stages, and are one of the last 32 clubs in the country left, in this year’s U15 Schoolboys National Trophy.

A daunting trip to renowned Dublin District Schoolboys League club, St Francis, takes place in John Hyland Park, Baldonnell, in Dublin on Saturday (3pm).

Town’s journey to the last 32 of the National Trophy began with a second-round bye before hosting Corinthian Boys A in the Meadows. Vittor Coutinho (2), Oisin O’Regan (2), Hugh McCarthy and Max Bramoulle all found the net in a terrific 6-2 Dunmanway victory.

That set up another home tie against Castleview AFC where a 3-1 victory cemented Town’s place in the national stages, round of 32.

St Francis will be favourites on their home pitch but can expect the toughest of examinations from a Dunmanway Town team with nothing to lose.

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The West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League’s Annual Awards takes place at the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery, this Saturday.

An event to celebrate the WCSSL’s standout players, coaches and volunteers should attract a large attendance to Rosscarbery.

‘This event is an important opportunity to recognise and celebrate the players, coaches, volunteers, and teams who have made an outstanding contribution during the 2025/26 season,’ the WCCSL Committee informed The Southern Star.

‘We invited all clubs to submit nominations across the various award categories, including Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Team of the Year, and Fair Play Awards. All submissions were reviewed by the League Awards Committee.

‘We encouraged clubs to take the time to put forward nominations that reflected not only performance, but also commitment, development, sportsmanship, and (overall) contribution to the league. We look forward to celebrating another excellent season of football across the league.’

The Castlelack Athletic and Castlelack United U12 schoolboys squad attended the recent awards evening at the Munster Arms Hotel in Bandon.

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Bandon’s Munster Arms Hotel was the venue for West Cork Schoolboys and Schoolgirls League club Castlelack FC’s awards evening.

Players, parents, coaches and friends of the club came together to celebrate a fantastic season for the Brinny-based setup.

Utilising their fantastic new playing facilities, Castlelack are coming off one of the club’s most successful seasons. The 2025 campaign saw the U12 Schoolboys Premier Division, U12 Schoolgirls League Phase, U13 Schoolboys Division 1, U14 Schoolboys Premier Division, U15 Schoolboys Premier Division and Cup, U16 Schoolboys Cup and West Cork League U18 League trophies reside in Brinny.

Chairman, Tadgh Curtin, was Master of Ceremonies for a superbly organised event where numerous awards were handed out.

Castlelack 2025 Award Winners (Players of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year): U10 Cobras; Jack Daly, Zac O’Connor. U10 Dragons; James Stewart, Rohan and Isabella Santos. U11 Celtics; Lucas Daly, Gearóid Linehan. U11 Rangers; Ruairí Cullinane, Luke O’Rourke. U12 girls; Muireann Sullivan, Romy Kelleher. U12 United; Ryan O’Reilly, Sean Hickey. U12 Athletic; Noah Collins, Gearóid Evans. U13 girls; Lily Mae Keohane, Elka Heaney. U13 boys; Shane Cronin, Jack Horgan. U14 girls; Eila O’Neil, Saoirse O’Donovan. U14 boys; Jack Allen, Sean Evans. U15 Celtic; Andrew Langford, Gearóid O’Keefe. U15 United; Calum Craig, Matthew Grace. U16 boys; Liam Ryan, Sean Platt. U18 boys; Rory Curtin, Ronan O’Leary.