Waller lands U-18 Cup for Oughterard

Oughterard 3Mervue United B 2(after extra time)

Mike Rafferty

OUGHTERARD set themselvesup for a league and cup double when Jordan Waller headed home an extra time winner as the Connemara side won the U18 Cup in Terryland Park on Sunday afternoon.

Already in contention for league honours where they remain unbeaten, they left it late in this contest, requiring a last minute equaliser through Patrick Walsh to tie up matters at 2-2 and send the game to added time.

Little separated the teams in a competitive contest where the sides were also level at the break. It was Oughterard who broke the deadlock when Cathal Sweeney had a shot blocked and Ryan Lucy finished off the rebound for a 1-0 advantage. The lead was short lved as just two minutes later, Mervue levelled matters when Ray King tied up matters with a cheeky back heel.

The respective goalkeepers Peter Feeney and Nigel Walsh were kept busy when making a number of smart saves, but there was little the Oughterard custodian could do when the City side made it 2-1 just after the hour mark. A Glenn McSweeney free kick was knocked down by Ray Kenny and Mark Murphy blasted home for the lead.

However for the second time in the game Cathal Sweeney turned provider and from his free kick Patrick Walsh levelled matters with a glancing header with just two minutes to spare.

Then with penalties on the mind as extra time dragged on, Oughterard struck for the winner. With just four minutes remaining, Waller headed home to consign Mervue United to a second successive cup final defeat.

For more, read page 47 of this week's City Tribune.