Mervue United stay on course to retain Connacht Youth Cup

Mervue United 7Castlerea Celtic 0Mervue United’s Youth team remain on course to retain the Connacht Youth Cup for a third year in succession for the club after they overcame a gallant Castlerea Celtic in the quarter final at Fahy’s Field on Sunday afternoon.

A very strong home side took just three minutes to open the scoring as the returning Ryan Manning – fresh from his training spell with Ipswich Town – shot across Castlerea ’keeper Dylan Kelly into the far corner after making space for himself.

The lead was doubled on 20 minutes when Moise Assogba rose highest to head home an Aaron McDonagh corner-kick delivery, and midfielder Luke Tully made it 3-0 five minutes later when he beat Kelly with a well struck shot into the corner.

The home side added four more after the break, two of those from the penalty spot.

Manning, who looked very lively all afternoon, forced one of many good saves from visiting ’keeper Kelly when he collected a pass from strike partner Padraic Cunningham before striking a low effort towards the bottom corner but the Castlerea keeper pushed it around the post for a corner.

The fourth goal arrived from the penalty spot after McDonagh was hauled down in the box and up stepped home goalkeeper James Healy to convert the penalty past his opposite number.

The home side were awarded a second penalty within minutes as Manning raced onto a ball into the box but was taken down by the advancing Kelly and the young striker dusted himself down before converting the spot kick for his second of the afternoon.

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.