Mayo soccer manager leads Moyne Villa to Galway Cup glory

There was Mayo joy in Galway on Sunday when the Moyne Villa side managed by Westport's Joe Kelly won the prestigious Michael Byrne Cup Final in Eamonn Deacy Park.

Kelly, who is the Mayo Oscar Traynor Cup boss, guided his side to a 4-1 win over Galway Hibernians, and there were raucous celebrations when the victorious squad arrived back in Headford on Sunday evening as bonfires blazed amid scenes of great emotion.

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The pacey Moyne Villa side dominated large parts of the game and took the lead early. They doubled the advantage soon after, and after 60 minutes the gap stretched to three when The Neale's Darragh Forde hammered home.

Hibs pulled one back after 75 minutes, but Villa were in no mood to be reeled in and secured the club's first senior title with a late goal to unleash scenes of wild delight. Kilmaine's Adam Barrett was also a pivotal figure for the winners, and after the match, Joe Kelly paid tribute to his squad who have created their own type of history.

“We're absolutely delighted today. The squad have worked so hard all season and played attractive football with an emphasis on expression. The lads enjoyed it, the management team enjoyed it, and the supporters enjoyed it, so everyone's happy.”

Afterwards, the cup was presented to the winning captain, Colin O'Reilly, by Westport native John Byrne. The Michael Byrne Cup remembers a man who spent many happy years in Westport, and the big silver trophy will now spend the next 12 months in happy Headford.