Westport United lose out in Connacht Shield final after extra-time

Connacht Shield Final

Westport United 1

Kitterick 39        

Moyne Villa 3 (AET)

O’Reilly 2 O’Malley 94 Cunningham 106

In Umbro Park

Westport’s lingering inability to defend set-pieces cost them yet again, this time denying them the Connacht Shield on Sunday afternoon.

Moyne Villa from Headford deserved their victory and should have made their second half superiority count without the need for extra time. 

They scored from their first proper attack when Jason O’Reilly drove home from a corner that Westport failed to clear.

David Quinn hit the bar a few minutes later and Padraig Cunningham threatened in a nervous opening quarter of an hour for the Mayo side.

Westport settled after that and dominated the remainder of the opening half and were rewarded when Kevin Kitterick – who had two chances earlier - shot past Ballinrobe man, Luke Jennings, in the Villa goal.

The Galway side dominated the second half with Westport looking lethargic and they would have won it in normal time if Padraig Cunningham finished a gift from Cillian McGlade.

They also had a chance at the death when Kyle Greaney would surely have won a penalty if he had gone down after a clumsy tackle in the Westport box. But he didn’t and the game stayed 1-1 after normal time.

Extra time goals from Dan O’Malley and Padraig Cunningham sealed it for the Galway side to give them their first Connacht title.

A full report, reaction and images will be featured in Tuesday’s Mayo News Sport.