SWEET SUCCESS The Westport United U-16 squad and management .Pic: Ann Hennessy
Westport clinch the treble
Final
Westport Utd 1
Corofin Utd 1
(Westport won 4-3 on pens)
Daniel Carey
Athlone
WILL Brian Mullen ever take a better penalty than the one that clinched victory for Westport United in last Saturday’s Connacht U-16 Cup final? Will anyone?
The full-back’s thunderous kick went into the top corner of the net, and he raised an arm before being engulfed by delighted team-mates. There were hugs on the sideline as others invaded the pitch at Willow Park, Athlone. It sealed an U-16 treble in the club’s centenary year, as captain James O’Donnell observed afterwards.
Like the game itself, the penalty shoot-out had been close and tense. Andrew Leahy, Ruairí Keating and O’Donnell netted for Westport, but James Gibbons’s effort went over the bar. Man of the match Conor O’Malley, who had earlier saved from Scott Veldon, repeated the trick against Muideen Ajai Taiwo, and Mullen took full advantage.
The opening stages were nip and tuck, the best early chances falling to the lively Keating, who shot just wide after running onto a through ball and then skimming the crossbar. But doughty Corofin opened the scoring in bizarre circumstances. After 27 minutes, the ball looped in after catching the wind. Muideen Ajai Taiwo, a key player for the Galway side, took the congratulations of colleagues.
Keating went close again soon after, but Corofin goalkeeper David Wall advanced quickly to narrow the angle. After 36 minutes, Westport’s Paul McDonnell stayed strong to hold off a defender, went around the outside, kept his cool and slipped the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.
Mentors Jim Rocliffe, Kenneth Gannon and Walter Pickard allowed themselves ten seconds of delight, then immediately urged reorganisation.
McDonnell almost repeated the trick soon after, picking up a pass from Alan Carroll, but saw his effort pushed out for a corner. But Corofin pressed hard in the closing stages of the first half, and O’Malley did well to deny Seán O’Boyle and Jason Leonard.
McDonnell shot narrowly over on the restart, but Westport were reduced to ten men soon after following a second yellow card for Ciaran McFadden following a foul on O’Boyle. “Remember last year!” urged one Covie, reminding his side that numerical inferiority need not mean defeat.
They were under the cosh, however. Corofin’s Mike McWalter fired a half-volley over from close range, and one supporter was so sure that Taiwo’s chip had beaten O’Malley that he prematurely shouted “Yes!” before applauding the save.
The game was nicely poised – Westport’s O’Donnell rounded goalkeeper Wall only to lose out to a Ryan Ludden sliding tackle. Corofin captain Veldon probably had more time than he realised when hurrying a shot that went wide. “Come on lads, it’s coming,” said a Corofin mentor, too which a Westport supporter responded: “We think it’s coming for us!”
The see-saw nature of the exchanges was clear as O’Malley dived bravely at Taiwo’s feet, while a quick Westport break saw sub Andrew Leahy have his shot cleared off the line. With tension mounting, a fracas near the sideline saw Corofin’s Stephen Broderick receive a straight red card.
Still tied at full time, the additional period also failed to separate the sides, and ultimately it was left to penalties. With Mrs Doyle’s Teas and Coffees proved a popular refreshment stand, it was perhaps fitting that the game went on … and on. Westport United only had eyes for a cup far bigger than the one the Craggy Island housekeeper serves her wares in, and captain O’Donnell eventually got to lift it.
Westport United
Conor O’Malley, Brian Mullen, Niall Tierney, Pádraig Keane, Pádraig O’Malley, Alan Rocliffe, Alan Carroll, Ciarán McFadden, Paul McDonnell, Ruairí Keating, James O’Donnell.
Subs used: Andrew Leahy for A Carroll (73 mins); James Gibbons for P McDonnell (76 mins); Tom O’Malley for A Rocliffe (78 mins).
Corofin United
D Wall, S Broderick, R Ludden, K Boyle, A McGinley, S Veldon, M McWalter, J Leonard, M Ajai Taiwo, N Curley, S O’Boyle.
Referee: T Cormican (Roscommon)
