MAYO SOCCER MAY 15 1996

SOCCER SCOREBOARD

Guinness Area F.A.I. Junior Cup Final

Manulla 1, Urlaur United 1 (Urlaur won 5-4 on pens. after extra time)

Welcome Inn Hotel Premiership

Conn Rangers 3, Castlebar United 4
Erris United 3, Ballyglass 3
Westport United 3, Straide & Foxford 0

Welcome Inn Hotel Division One

Ballina Rovers 4, Charlestown Athletic 1
Ballyheane 4, Castlebar Celtic 1
Ballyvary Bluebombers 2, Swinford 1
Glenhest Rovers 3, Moy Villa 0
Lacken United 0, Manulla B 3.

Welcome Inn Hotel Division Two [SOUTH]

Ballyhaunis 2, Knock United 1
Newport Town 3, Ballaghaderreen 1
Snugboro 2, Castlebar Celtic B 2.

Welcome Inn Hotel Division Two [NORTH]

Glenisland 3, Ballina United 2
Hollister 4, Parkside Celtic 1
Killala 1, Crossmolina 2

Welcome Inn Hotel Reserve Division [EAST]

Ballina Rovers 5, Ballaghaderreen 0
Claremorris 2, Conn Rangers 0
Straide & Foxford 3, Swinford 2

Welcome Inn Hotel Reserve Division [WEST]

Ballyvary Bluebombers 2, Manulla 3.

Connaught FA Meeting

The annual general meeting of the Connaught Football Association takes place in Terryland Park, Galway, on Thursday, May 23rd, at 7.30p.m. All clubs are entitled to two representatives.

GUINNESS AREA FAI JUNIOR CUP FINAL

MANULLA PAY DEARLY FOR SQUANDER MANIA. . .

Urlaur's return to basics vindicated

Urlaur United ......................... 1
Manulla ..................................... 1
(Urlaur won 5-3 on pens. after extra time)

By Tom Kelly

Urlaur United's return to basics in a bid to redeem past glories has received early vindication.

They caused a mild surprise at Milebush on Sunday by overcoming the challenge of Manulla in the Guinness-sponsored Area F.A.I. Junior Cup final.

In a performance characterised by many of the qualities which had brought unprecedented success to the club in the early part of the decade, Urlaur emerged victorious in a penalty shoot-out after extra time.

Each of their five penalty-takers, Chris Jordan, Tom Moffatt, Pat Beirne, Tim Moriarty and David Byrne, converted from the spot.

It was Byrne, after returning home from England for the match, who sealed the title for Urlaur when Manulla defender Declan Dempsey had missed his side's fourth attempt.

But the essential ingredients in the Urlaur triumph ran much deeper than their proficiency from the penalty spot. Their resilience, perseverance and self-belief were the factors which hallmarked a memorable display more than any other.

Urlaur were forced to live on their nerves for long periods, however, before finally establishing a degree of authority on the game.

Manulla started like a proverbial stream-train, intent on blowing away the opposition in record time. But they fluffed a series of feasible opportunities in the opening half an hour, missed chances for which they were destined to regret.

Gerry Lohan, whose first touch was always clinical, shot inches wide twice from inside the 18-yards box. Declan Dempsey produced a spectacular drive from the left which screamed over the crossbar. Then Michael Costello slotted wide from close range before Kieran McDonnell failed to connect powerfully enough with arguably the best opening of all.

Urlaur began to come into the match in fits and starts. John Costello was displaying poise and balance at midfield. His ability to dribble skilfully on his left foot was causing problems for Manulla. Chris Jordan, too, was showing impressive touches in wide positions, although Urlaur never really looked like scoring in the first half.

SERIOUS TROUBLE

Manulla almost got the goal their work rate deserved before half-time. Michael Costello, the side's experienced midfield figure, launched a blistering drive from 25 yards which was denied by the crossbar.

The longer Manulla went without scoring, the greater opportunity Urlaur had of turning things around. But they appeared to be in serious trouble when Manulla finally made the breakthrough with eighteen minutes remaining. Damian Ansbro, probably the finest thrower of a ball in Mayo football, caused chaos in the Urlaur penalty area with his hand-propelled missile from the right. Jackie Barrett made perfect contact to head the ball cleanly into the roof of the net.

Manulla should have put the issue beyond any doubt six minutes later following the best worked move of the match. Costello put Gerry Jennings storming through with an intelligent delivery from midfield. Jennings squared the ball to substitute Roger Clarke at the edge of the six yards box, but he sliced his finish wide of the target.

Surely a team could not squander so many scoring chances without paying a price? With cracks appearing in Manulla's defensive armoury, Urlaur's resourceful midfield unit began to push harder and harder. Chris Jordan, imaginative with the ball at his feet, switched from the one flank to the other. Tim Moriarty underlined his power and conviction with incisive runs down the middle of the park.

John Costello utilised his magnificent poise and technique to take on defenders, while Tom Moffatt, introduced as a substitute, tapped into his wealth of experience when his side needed it most.

Jordan conjured the moment of magic which hauled Urlaur back into contention with three minutes remaining. He exploited a wide open gap on the left side of the Manulla defence with an invigorating run before unleashing a shot on target. Manulla goalkeeper Rory O'Malley managed to block the effort, but the ball rolled to the feet of Tim Moriarty who made no mistake from ten yards.

Moriarty, now inspired, could have won the game for Urlaur before the end. But his expertly-struck effort was saved by O'Malley.

Urlaur's greater physical strength served them well in extra-time.

MORE ENTERPRISE

They also showed more enterprise pushing forward as Manulla ran out of ideas.

The rampant Moriarty was in unstoppable mood, and he worked himself cleverly into a shooting position before being fouled by Manulla centre half Damian Ansbro. Ansbro's tackle was punished with a red-card, but Urlaur failed to reap any worthwhile advantage from the resultant free-kick.

Jerome Hunt, the second Urlaur substitute, could have snatched a dramatic winner before the end of extra-time. Goalkeeper O'Malley and Tom Healy combined to deny Hunt a place in the record books.

Even so, Urlaur finished the game high in confidence while Manulla wondered where it had all gone wrong.

This psychological advantage was reflected in the penalty shoot-out as Urlaur failed to put a foot wrong to take the prestigious crown for the second time.

Urlaur: D. Walsh, M. Horan, D. Byrne, J. Duffy, M. Harrison, C. Jordan, T. Moriarty, J. Costello, S. Higgins, P. Beirne, M. Phillips.
Res: T. Moffatt (for Higgins); J. Hunt (for Costello inj.).

Manulla: R. O'Malley, D. Dempsey, D. Ansbro, T. Healy, K. McDonnell, J. Barrett, S. Staunton, G. Jennings, G. Lohan, A. Rumley.
Res: R. Clarke (for Rumley).

Ref: J. Cawley (Ballina).

* Star Rating: Chris Jordan. . .his persistence paid off for Urlaur.