Westport survive late Sligo onslaught to lift cup for first time in 15 years

CONNACHT RUGBY U18.5 BOYS CUP FINAL

Westport 26

Sligo 24

In Dexcom Stadium

A HEROIC effort secured Westport their first underage boys cup win since 2011 - and they didn't do it the easy way.

At the end, it was their defence, that got the young 'Bulls' over the line against a magnificent Sligo team.

The Mayo boys carried a lead into the dying moments as Sligo camped inside the Westport '22. Carry after carry thundered Sligo towards the Westport line and victory, but the Westport boys wouldn't yield. They stayed calm and composed, and didn't give away any space or cheap penalties, because they knew, a single kick for the sticks would end their dream at the death.

Eventually Felix Zeray, the versatile forward, lunged over the ball and won a crucial turnover for his team. Seconds later the match was over, and the celebrations had started for Westport.

"It's been 15 years since we last won a title," a happy head coach Eddie Walsh told The Mayo News after the match: "Our defence has been brilliant all year. We kept Corinthians to zero points in the second half, we kept Loughrea to one try in the game, and today, the boys finished so well. They put their bodies on the line and we couldn't have asked more of them."

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It was fitting, that Zeray made that game-deciding play at the end. He had scored his team's first try after only 90 seconds of the match and was outstanding throughout. 

"He's outstanding. He's training with the Connacht Academy and so are Cian Silke and Matthew Mullaney," Walsh explained.

Westport blitzed Sligo from the kick-off. Zeray's try was followed by two more, one from Alex Dunlop in the seventh minute and another from Brendon Witzl just a minute later, straight from the restart. Westport were 19-0 up before Sligo properly laid their hands on the ball.

However, slowly but surely the boys from the Yeats County took over. They balanced matters before half-time and actually took the lead in the second' half. It was to prove crucial that one of their conversions hit the post and bounced off on the wrong side of the pitch from a Sligo perspective.

Westport came alive helped by powerful impacts from the bench. Jack Danagher and Ross O'Connor in particular brought essential power and resolve to help the Mayo boys turn the screw on Sligo.

O'Connor then crashed over after a long spell of well-orchestrated phases. Westport punched holes and showed good support play at the breakdowns to protect possession.

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This was an extraordinary team effort from Westport. In fairness to Sligo, they played some great rugby and if it hadn't been for the Bulls impeccable discipline in the final moments, they might have snatched victory from the Mayo boys.

Eventually, Westport captain Alan Gannon lifted the cup into a sunny sky in the Dexcom Stadium on a glorious occasion for the fine young rugby players on the biggest stage Connacht Rugby has to offer.

Only a few weeks after the Westport senior men won the J1B League, and the women claimed the Connacht Cup at the same venue, the young 'Bulls' emulated them by securing silverware. A hattrick of cup wins for the Mayo club in Connacht Rugby's HQ.

The future is bright for Westport rugby.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.