Westport U-15s bring Connacht soccer glory back to Mayo

The Westport Community Games U-15 Girls soccer team claimed top spot in the Connacht finals in Tuam last Saturday, bringing silverware home to Mayo.

The girls met Ballymote of Sligo in the semi-final, and after a scoreless draw, extra time was needed, but still they were deadlocked.

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Penalties were required, and remarkably, after five penalties each, it still remained tied. Sudden death had to come into play, and Westport emerged victorious in dramatic fashion.

Next up was the final against Galway champions, Clarinbridge. Westport got an early goal, which was scored by the brilliant left foot of Kate McGing. That set the tone, and they never looked back.

Westport really found their feet by half time, and as the second half started, they were quickest out of the traps, with a Claire Ryan perfectly-hit lob looping over the goalkeeper from 40 yards out. Clairbridge played some excellent football, putting Westport under immense pressure in the last ten minutes, and the Galway side won a penalty and made it 2-1 with time ticking away. 

The Galway girls poured forward, and Westport got a piece of luck as Clarinbridge amazingly hit the woodwork three times before they secured their second spot kick of the game. A draw was inevitable at that stage, but Westport shotstopper Jane Moran answered the call and saved spectacularly to win the game for her side.

The Connacht champions will now travel to Carlow on Sunday, August 24, for the National Finals.

Squad members: Jane Moran, Ellie Mai Keane, Eila Casey, Lauren Munro, Slaney O'Driscoll, Claire Ryan, Grace Bourke, Kate McGing, Aoife Durkan, Aimee McNamara, Lauren Conway, Emily Fahy, Abby Lee Horkan. Absent on the day were May Duckett, Sadhbh McGauley, and Violet O'Malley.