CONNACHT CLAIM FAI YOUTHS INTERPRO TITLE FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2014
THE Connacht Football Association claimed the FAI Youths Interprovincial title following the weekend tournament at the AUL Complex and the Oscar Traynor Coaching and Development Centre finishing with two victories and a concluding with an important draw against the Munster FA.
Connacht were worthy victors of a tournament laced with some excellent talent on display and none more so that Noah Massey of Westport United who was a standout player for the victorious men from the West to their first crown since 2014 and rightfully claimed the Player of the Tournament award.
Oisin Coyne (Mervue United) receives the FAI Interprovincial title from John Finnegan (Chair FAI Amateur and Youth committee) at the AUL Complex on Sunday afternoon . Pics: Eamon Scott
While Galway’s Oisin Coyne (Mervue United) was leading his charges to an All-Ireland crown, he was well served by his team mates with a tight defence which conceded only one goal over the three matches while Charlie Quinn and Coyne found the net in the opening encounter against the Ulster FA on a bitterly cold and windswept OTCDC Friday evening.
Noah Massey (Westport United) receives his Player of the Tournament award from Noel Kennedy (Sligo Leitrim/Connacht FA)
Manager Ollie Neary and coach Damien Brennan executed a successful game plan and although they fell behind to Leinster in their Saturday outing, they fought back with Ethan McAuley and Colm McDonagh to claim a vital victory to move clear at the top of the table on maximum points.
That Saturday success set them up for a Sunday showdown against Munster who needed to win while Connacht just needed a solitary point to lift the title. In a game that saw chances at both ends, Connacht once again stood strong and despite late pressure from Munster, held firm to the delight of their travelling support which included CFA Provincial Administrator Gerry Tully and Sligo Leitrim's Noel Kennedy.
Leinster will rue some missed chances against Munster in their opening draw while several gilt edged chances went abegging. Leinster did finish on a high with a come from behind 2-1 win over Ulster -playing most of the match with 10-men after influential midfielder Keith Ashmore was sent off for a second yellow late in the first period.
Ashmore had been one of Leinster's stand-out players but the Terry Butler and Aaron Callaghan managed side wll be happy with the character the 10-players displayed as they camped in the Ulster half and created chance after chance before finally reaping their reward with two late goals.
Barrie McGhee of Ballybofey fired Ulster into the lead but Home Farm's James Ward levelled before Matthew Roze Anderson crashed home the winner late on to give the LFA some final day consolation.
Munster finished top scorers with Aaron McCarthy (2), Eric Cunningham (2), Ben Heinen, Ben Crowley and the pocket rocket Darragh O'Shea all finding the net over the three day competition. Munster played some excellent football over the weekend but ultimately came up just short as they had to settle for runners-up.
A well run tournament despite the trying weather conditions and plaudits to the LFA for an excellent hosting of the event.
Connacht will defend their title next year when the Ulster FA will host the interprovincial series.
Connacht FA - Squad List
Goalkeepers: Max Hawksley (Maree Oranmore), Galius Babonas (Maree Oranmore)
Defenders: Conor Daly (Maree Oranmore), Eddie Silke (Colga FC), Colm McHale (Straide and Foxford), Noah Massey (Westport United), Brian Toland (Salthill Devon)
Midfielders: Oisin Coyne (Mervue United), Colm McDonagh (Colga FC), Dylan Coleman (Straide and Foxford), Scott Dillon (Knocknacarra FC), Dorian Salmon (Knocknacarra FC), Fionn O'Hora (Westport United), Ben Costelloe (Maree Oranmore), Colm Whelan (Maree Oranmore)
Forwards: Charlie Quinn (Salthill Devon), Ethan McAuley (Maree Oranmore), Piotrek Szymonski (Salthill Devon), Robert Henegan (Cloonfad FC)
Leinster FA - Squad List
Goalkeepers: Noel Dunne (St. Kevin's Boys), Scott Kavanagh (Home Farm)
Defenders: Chiby Owoamam (Cherry Orchard), Nathan O'Kelly (Corduff), Conor Fitz-Henry (Peamount United), Ben Keating (Corduff), Sam Linehan (St. Kevin's Boys), James Ward (Home Farm).
Midfielders: Keith Ashmore (Corduff), Scott Higgins (St. Joseph's Boys), Cian Bolger (Kilmore Celtic), Niall Mooney (New Ross Town), Sam O'Donohue (Stella Maris), Conor Rice (Corduff).
Forwards: Matthew Roze Anderson (Cherry Orchard), Byron Preston (St. Kevin's Boys), Kris Kikueta (Swords Celtic), Luke Kearns (Corduff), Cillian Whelan (Cherry Orchard), Kai Mitchell (Home Farm)
Munster FA - Squad List
Goalkeepers: Robert Barry (Carrigaline United), Bobby Drohan (Villa FC)
Defenders: Paul Omoshulle (Blarney United), Sam Jordan (Janesboro), Faroq Adegboyega (Springfield Ramblers), Ross Hennessy (Blarney United), Davin Power (Bohemians), Ben Crowley (Carrigaline United), Ben Heinen (College Corinthians), Sean Connelly (Blarney United).
Midfielders: Eric Cunnigham (College Corinthians), Evan Bolster (Midleton), Jack O'Halloran (Bridge United), Darragh O'Shea (Blarney United), Matthew Broderick (College Corinthians), Luke O'Donnell (College Corinthians), Joe Hanrahan (Moher Celtic)
Forwards: Conor Varian (Carrigaline United), Darragh Mulchinock (Carrigaline United), Aaron McCarthy (Carrigaline United)
Ulster FA - Squad List
Goalkeepers: Davin McLaughlin (Carndough), Donal O'Brien (Cockhill Celtic)
Defenders: Rian Gallagher (Cockhill Celtic), Jamie Doherty (Carndough), Taylor Bonner (Culdaff), Bobby Hennigan (Ballybofey United), Ethan McCaffrey (Keadue Rovers), Jack Doherty (Clonmany Shamrocks), Adam McCullagh (Ballybofey United), Mason McDaid (Cockhill Celtic)
Midfielders: Conor Graham (Cockhill Celtic), Tiernan Doherty (Carndough), Ross Darren (Carndough), Liam McWeeney (Carndough), Barrie McGhee (Ballybofey United), Shay Maloney (Ballyraine).
Forwards: Robbie Murphy (Letterkenny Rovers), Sam Harvey (Letterkenny Rovers), Faolan Gibson (Letterkenny Rovers), Daithi McMahon (Ballybofey United)
