Abbeyleix Athletic B have collected the first piece of silverware in the CCFL’s season, getting their hands on the Division 3A trophy this week.
A 2-0 defeat in the final game at the hands of Mountmellick United B was not enough to prevent Abbeyleix from being crowned champions.
Goals from Cathal Cleary and Brandon Cooper gave Mountmellick all three points, but it mattered not, as Abbeyleix had already done enough to stave off the advances of the other sides in the title race.
Abbeyleix have led the way all season, and looked as though they might run away with the league around Christmas.
But they began to drop points in the new year, allowing Portlaoise B, St Aengus and Maryborough to take advantage.
The four-horse title-race began to intensify in early spring, when Portlaoise and Maryborough each beat Abbeyleix.
Maryborough, with one eye on the Division 3 Shield, fell away from the title hunt, which became a two-horse race when St Aengus were unfortunately forced to withdraw from the division.
Mountmellick B then hit a good run of form a played spoiler last weekend, beating Portlaoise 3-2 in Conor Davis Park.
The result meant Portlaoise no longer had enough games left to catch Abbeyleix’s 25-point tally.
Abbeyleix therefore had their names on the trophy before their end-of-season game at home to Mountmellick.
The 2-0 defeat in that tie, however, did not dampen the celebrations as Abbeyleix finally lifted on the trophy on home soil, allowing for some great pictures in Fr Breen Park.
Abbeyleix B were only reformed this season, following the club’s success last year.
Abbeyleix were promoted from the CCFL’s Division 1 to the Senior Division, where they joined some of the premier teams in the Midlands, including Willow Park, St Peter’s and Mullingar Town.
This promotion, coupled with the emergence of a quality U-19 side, prompted the club to field a B team as well, which would compete in Division 3A, a CCFL division exclusively for Laois teams.
“A brilliant achievement for this squad in their first season together,” the club said.
“Thanks to management team of Philip, Martin and Ger for their hard work too.”
It is the latest success in a bumper period for soccer in Laois, with Abbeyleix becoming the third club from the County to be crowned divisional champions over the past two weeks.
Crettyard United were crowned Carlow Soccer Premier League champions at the weekend, while Gange United won Division 2 of the North Tipperary and District League the previous week.
SEE ALSO – Basketball: Heywood CS girls crowned All-Ireland champions after win over Dingle
