Disappointment for Galway U-13 and U-16 sides in national finals

The SFAI Inter League national finals that took place in Cahir over the weekend provided little joy for the two Galway representatives as both the U-13 and U-16 teams went down on 3-1 scorelines against Cork and Waterford respectively.

With both sides having progressed to the finals unbeaten, they travelled with confidence and the U-13 team got off to the perfect start when Aaron Connolly finished off a Matthew Tierney cross for the lead after just two minutes.

However, Cork responded well to the setback and scored twice to lead at the break. Galway played well in a good contest, but they were always chasing the game and it was the southern side who scored again in the closing stages to clinch a 3-1 win.

Two goals in extra time sealed the U-16 team’s fate as Waterford took the honours. It was Waterford who enjoyed an interval advantage in this contest, but an Andrew Connolly free kick on 52 minutes levelled matters at 1-1.

Galway continued to be the better team in the second half, and Antaine O’Laoi was denied by both the crossbar and a smart save by the goalkeeper, while Connolly also went close to snatching a late winner.

However, in extra time Waterford scored in the closing minutes of each half to eventually prevail 3-1.

YOUTHS

Mervue United made it a hat-trick of Youth titles when an extra time penalty converted by Richard Fahy gave them a 1-0 victory over Hibernians in the U-18 Cup final at Eamonn Deacy Park. The winners had previously captured the Connacht Youth Cup and U-18 League titles.

SCHOOLBOYS

Two up at the break, Bearna Na Forbacha were generally in command as they annexed the U-15 Cup with a 5-0 victory over Hibs Foyle at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday afternoon.

Early goals by Ernan McDonagh and Evan Coyne gave them a merited interval advantage and it took a series of top class saves by Hibs Foyle custodian Jack Forde to keep the contest in the balance at that stage.