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CASTLECONNOR (UNDER-13) CUP FINAL YOUNG NORTH MAYO CLUB'S DREAM OF GLORY DASHED Kilmurray...............1 Mervue United.......3 By Keith Bourke Kilmurray's dream of their first provincial title has been dashed. Galway's Mervue United defeated them in the Connaught (Under-13) Cup final at Milebush Park last Friday night. The physically stronger Mervue side took their chances while it was lack of killer instinct that proved to be Kilmurray's downfall. Kilmurray started well, winning all the early ball and shocking Mervue with their commitment and effort. Jonathan O'Boyle had Kilmurray's first opportunity when he went on a mazy run evading the Mervue defenders only to drag his shot to the left and wide. The away side were trying to feed the ball as much as possible to their star striker John Mernagh, but pocket rocket Pierce Loftus and defensive stalwart Declan Keating were denying him any room. Kilmurray were closing Mervue down brilliantly not allowing them any time on the ball. The home side broke forward with great regularity with the skilful Damian Munnelly and the tricky, Jonathan O'Boyle proving to be a real handful for the Mervue rearguard. Munnelly hit a corker of a shot in the 15th minute which went inches wide. Mernagh showed his class in the 22nd minute when the first time he received the ball at his feet he hit a scorching effort which hit the Kilmurray upright. This was a real let-off for the Mayo lads. Kilmurray were battling hard but dids not look like scoring and in the 27th minute, Mervue's towering striker Dara Flanagan hit a rasping long range effort which beat the unlucky Paul O'Donnell in the Kilmurray goal. Kilmurray had a chance to equalise right be fore halftime, when a failed punch by the Mervue keeper fell to Jonathan O'Boyle, but O'Boyle could not find the room to get his shot in and the danger was cleared by the Galway defence. At the break, Kilmurray trainers, T.P. Loftus and Ger McGuinness stressed to their team that they were only 1-0 down and the Kilmurray youngsters came out fighting in the second half. INCREASED LEAD Mervue had two opportunities to increase their lead but wasted them and 10 minutes in, Declan Keating scored an extraordinary goal for Kilmurray from the halfway line. Shades of David Beckham. Kilmurray's large fan base were elated. Unfortunately for Kilmurray their celebrations were cut short when Thomas Duffy lashed a right foot shot into the corner of Paul O'Donnell's net. The Mervue lads celebrated their goal in spectacular style. The Mayo side almost equalised again when a good corner from the right was flicked on by Jonathan O'Boyle and Padraig Syron's prodding effort went narrowly wide. In the 50th minute Mervue scored the goal which finally killed off Kilmurray when Dara Flanagan scored his second and Mervue's third with a goal which crept under Paul O'Donnell. Kilmurray were dealt a further blow when midfielder Damian Munnelly had to come off with just five minutes remaining. Substitute Kevin McLoughlin almost snatched a consolation goal, but yet again the ball went the wrong side of the post. Despite this loss, Kilmurray can feel proud that they got this far and it was lack experience and prowess in front of goal that let them down, not determination and effort. Trainers, Ger McGuinness and T.P. O'Donnell must be congratulated on moulding this Kilmurray team into one of the best in Connaught. The victorious Mervue United team were presented with the Castleconnor Cup by the Chairman of the Connaught Schoolboys and Youths F.A., Tom Kelly. Kilmurray: Paul O'Donnell, Stewart Griffin, Fergus O'Boyle, Pierce Loftus, Declan Keating, Jonathan Burke, Damien Munnelly, Patrick Rowland, Jonathan O'Boyle, Padraig Syron, James Fergus. Subs used: Kevin McLoughlin. Mervue United: Ian Grealish, Dennis Lydon, Adrian McDermott, Keith McHugh, Gary Cloonan, Michael Cussion, Thomas Duffy, Ian Snee, John Mernagh, Dara Flanagan, Peter Hension. Subs used: John Flynn. *Star rating: Dara Flanagan. . .always looked dangerous on the ball.
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