Corrib boys make a big splash in U-14 Cup

THE Corrib Water Polo Club U14 Team retained the Irish National Cup which was held in the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin last weekend.

Corrib had comprehensive victories in the Group stages over Setanta (Belfast), Clontarf and Drogheda. This qualified Corrib as Group winners into the semi-final against Grads (Belfast).

Grads had a strong experienced team but great performances from Jonathan Regan (team captain), Davey Knight and Lorcan Gavin allowed Corrib to pull away in the first quarter.

Michael Murphy, a rising young star of the team, came on in the second quarter and added to the goal tally within minutes. Jack Fegan was dominant in the hole-forward position, scoring decisively in the third and fourth quarters to give Corrib a 9-2 victory.

Newcomers David O’Connor and goalie Thomas Power also made great contributions.

Corrib went into the final as strong favourites facing St Vincents (Dublin). However, it did not go all Corrib’s way. St Vincents scored an the first goal in the opening minutes from their star player Ben O’Dwyer.

In the second quarter they added a second. However Corrib had created a number of goal chances and finally opened the scoring with a cracker of an outside shot from captain Johnathan Regan that rattled the top corner of the net.

This was followed up by a great combination goal between Mark Moran and Davey Knight. St Vincents got another goal to take them 3-2 ahead but, by half time, Corrib had added three more goals to their tally with a penalty by Davey Knight and goals from Lorcan Gavin and Michael Murphy to lead 6-3.

From there on in Corrib were in the driving seat. In the final quarter Ronan Murphy and Lorcan Gavin combined to add another goal to take the full time score to 8-5. Corrib now look forward to January when they will defend their U16 title in Lisburn.