Connacht side backboned by 11 Galway players claims U-17 Interprovincial title

Under a management quartet from Hibernians and backboned by eight players from Mervue United, the Connacht U-17 side were crowned Interprovincial champions over the weekend in Wexford.  

Meanwhile, last season it took NUI Galway seven games before they picked up a point in the Premier League and after such a dreadful start they did well to survive in the top flight as it was Oranmore and Corrib Celtic who eventually took the dreaded drop.

After two previous draws this seaswon, they picked up their first win in the current campaign on Sunday last, when they were always in command against West United at Dangan in a very reduced league programme.

In the Airtricity U-19 Leagues, It could have being three wins from three for the Galway sides over the weekend, but Galway United Supporters Trust lost a two goal advantage as they went down at home to Wexford Youths, while Salthill Devon did likewise away to Waterford but at least they left the South East with a point in a 2-2 draw.

Mervue United were the only complete success story, as they were winners away to Longford Town.

U-17 INTERPROVINCIALSUnder the management of Derek O’Loughlin, the Connacht U-17 side completed a clean-sweep in the Interprovincial Series as three victories saw them run out very impressive winners over their fellow Provincial sides.

Backboned by 11 players from Galway, they kicked off on Saturday morning with a 4-1 win over Ulster, with Castlebar Celtic’s Liam Flatley grabbing a hat-trick.

Flatley was also on the mark with the opener as Leinster were dismissed by 2-1, with Mervue United’s Padraig Cunningham snatching the winner and in the final game on Sunday, Flatley displayed exactly why he was chosen as Player of the Tournament as he notched a brace in the 2-0 win over Munster.

The achievement of Connacht was all the more remarkable, given that they had to change their complete selection just days before the event. Manager O’Loughlin had prepared for an U-18 competition and had selected his squad accordingly.

It was only after their submission to the FAI that the discrepancy was noticed and after their selection – the same players had to be deselected and a new squad chosen.

In that context the achievement of the Connacht squad in winning the event was remarkable, as the much hyped Leinster finished bottom of the table.

The Galway players in the squad were Peter Healy, Paul Healy, Robert Carroll, Andrew Connolly, Moisse Assagbo, Padraig Cunningham, Gary Bailey and Chris Carroll (all Mervue United), along with Shane Connaughton (Salthill Devon), Shane Hulgraine (HibsFoyle) and Colin Brady (Corofin).

Management: Derek O’Loughlin, Pat Turke, Anthony Kelly, Mark McPhilbin and Francis Keady.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.