Preview
John Brennan
WITH both sides progressing to the fifth round of the FAI Junior Cup two weeks ago, confidence is high in both the Westport United and Manulla camps heading into next Sunday’s Connacht Gold Super Cup final.
Having wrapped up the league title, it has been a successful debut season for John Brennan as Westport United manager. However, the Covies were pushed all the way by Dysart before carving out a 3-2 win thanks to Mark MacNally’s late winner.
Manulla bagged the Westaro Cup back in August and manager Tom Healy will be analysing their 5-1 defeat to Westport to conjure up a plan to restrain their illustrious hosts. He is under no illusions at what they will face on Sunday.
“It’s a huge game, like any final, and especially against Westport United,” he said. “We are really looking forward to it. We know what is ahead of us. Westport are the team in Connacht at the minute, so we know what we are up against. We need everything to go right for us.”
Manulla required an extra-time win over Straide and Foxford United in the round of 16. Goals from Gary Concannon and Matthew Nolan sealed victory after a a dogfight. It’s a day that lingers in Healy’s memory.
Two goals from Enda McGahon and one from Shane Durkan saw Manulla beat Conn Rangers 3-1 in the next round. The Blues then clawed their way past Castlebar Celtic thanks to an 83rd-minute goal from Shane Durkan. After winning the Mayo Sevens double back in spring, it has been a long haul for Healy and his troops.
“I have to give credit to the players, they have stuck at it,” he said. “It’s a long season and it’s great that we are still involved in a cup final and we are also in the FAI Junior Cup. All we can hope for is that everything goes right for us on the day – and we need everything to go right for us.”
Westport had to come from behind in both their quarter-final and semi-final. Goals from Pat Fitzgerald, Mark MacNally, Martin Geraghty and David Cameron saw them beat Partry Athletic 4-1, while David Hoban scored twice and Darren Browne once against Iorras Aontaithe.
United need a late Mark McNally goal to force extra-time against Claremorris. The South Mayo sides were minutes away from a penalty shootout before David Hoban crushed their hopes.
“We will be setting out to just play our own game really and if we go out with the right attitude and intensity, I don’t think that many teams can stop us,” said Westport captain Gary Cunningham.
“So as long as we turn up on the day and play our own game and then it will be up to them to try and stop us more than anything”.
Verdict: Westport United
