Super Smith secures treble delight

Connacht FA U-18 Boys Cup Final

Kiltimagh Knock United 2

Mervue United 0

Knock Kiltimagh United secured an historic treble in Solar 21 Park today when two sizzling goals won the Connacht U-18 Cup final. In the past 12 months the boys in blue have won the Mayo League, Quigley Cup and now the provincial title and their victory over a talented Mervue outfit was richly deserved.

Two goals from lightning-quick striker David Smith won the game for Andy O'Flaherty's team but this wasn't a one-man-show by any means. From Ryan Finn between the sticks to Cillian Mooney on the left wing, each and every KK player gave their all. They had to, because Mervue were packed to the brim with talent and threw everything forward in the second half in an effort to pull back the two goal lead secured by Smith's early strikes.

His first goal was a thing of beauty; his second a predatory finish.

Just nine minutes had elapsed when he hit a stunning opener, running onto a loose ball before sending a bending, twisting dipping shot into the roof of the net. It was a goal worthy of any stage and the applause had only died down when he doubled his tally. A through ball from Mooney found him in the box and he squeezed a shot into the bottom corner to leave the blues in dreamland.

Ronan Clarke almost added another a few minutes later but a fine save from Jason Daly denied him.

Mervue grew into the game after that and striker Gusi Khamalo looked dangerous whenever the ball came his way. The chasers poured forward in the second half and at times the Kiltimagh Knock penalty area was packed with bodies but the Galway boys couldn't get the goal they so badly needed to get back in the game.

There were scenes of great jubilation at the final whistle as the East Mayo club celebrated a famous victory in the Castlebar sunshine.

Read a full report and reaction in Tuesday's Mayo News

KILTIMAGH KNOCK: R Finn, J Concannon, C McNicholas, S O'Dowd, T Caulfield, P McLoughlin, R Malee, R Clarke, D Smith, R O'Flaherty, C Mooney

Subs; A Conlon for Mooney (86), M Bennett for Malee (88)

MERVUE: J Daly, C Harrington, D McGrath, K Ayande, J Nyland, O Coyne, C Devane, S Curley, G Khamalo, D Stephens, K O'Connor

Subs; J Collins for Devane (38), D Quinn for O'Connor (61), K Blair for Ayande (61), S Dipson for Curley (76), E Concannon for Harrington (85)

Referee: P Kilcoyne (Sligo)