FAI YOUTHS (Under-17) INTERPROVINCIAL SERIES

Mayo Soccer News 19 March 1997

Connaught pay for elementary early errors

Leinster . . . 4 Connaught . . . 2

A completely calamitous start upset Connaught's prospects of glory in the inaugural F.A.I. (Under-17) interprovincial final at Milebush, on Saturday. A combination of hesitant goalkeeping, uncertain defending and brilliant opportunist by Belvedere striker Derek Waters conspired to ensure Leinster of a predictable success in the prestigious event.

Waters, a hugely talented attacker destined for a bright future in the game, was on target four times in the first half to undermine the spirited home challenge.

The Dublin ace had a hat-trick to his credit after just fourteen minutes as the Connaught rearguard was blatantly punished for a litany of elementary errors. Waters completed a sensational personal performance by grabbing a fourth goal before half-time to add to Connaught's agony.

Connaught made just once change to the side which overcame Ulster 2-1 in their penultimate round tie a few hours earlier. Ballyhaunis star Adrian Cregg replaced Irish Schools international David Goldby (Mervue United).

Despite their devastating introduction to the decider, Connaught never let their heads drop and Castlebar Celtic's Martin McNicholas was unlucky to have a goal disallowed ten minutes before the break.

The loss of Sligo's Ciaran Martyn with a sprained ankle at the end of the first period represented a setback for Connaught. He had been a key figure in his side's attempt to mount a comeback against the odds.

Even so, the display of West of Ireland side improved dramatically in the second half with the wind at their backs. They reduced the margin with goals by Sean Flannery and Adrian Cregg, direct from a free-kick.

At one stage it looked as if a remarkable turnabout was on the cards, but Leinster held out under torrid pressure. Leinster goalkeeper Justin O'Neill was forced to make crucial saves from Sean Flannery and McNicholas, while Cregg always looked likely to produce another moment of magic.

Connaught boss John Lynch said he could not have asked any more of his players.

"Things could have been so different if we had defended with more conviction in the opening quarter of an hour.

"You just cannot afford to make mistakes like we did against a side of L

einster's quality. "But we displayed outstanding character and commitment in the second half, and had the chances to turn the game on its head.

"On the whole, I think we did very well in the tournament and surprised a few people. There are a lot of quality players coming up through the ranks in the region."

Irish youths team manager Brian Kerr agreed with Lynch. "There was very little between Leinster and Connaught at the end. If Connaught had avoided making the early mistakes, the result could have been different."

TREMENDOUS HONOUR

The occasion was a tremendous honour for Achill Rovers defender, Michael J. Fadian. He was selected captain of the Connaught team, the first player from the island to win such a distinction Fadian had a particularly good tournament and was outstanding in the semi-final win over Ulster.

Three other Mayo players featured prominently in the competition.

Castlebar Celtic's Martin McNicholas started both matches for Connaught, and gave an excellent account of himself. Ballyhaunis winger Adrian Cregg came on as a substitute in the win over Ulster, and played from the start against Leinster. Straide & Foxford's Kenneth Hyland was introduced as a substitute in both of the Connaught games, while Castlebar Celtic's Sean Reilly was on the bench for the two matches.

Brian Kerr, the Irish manager, announced afterwards he was hoping to select 16 players from the tournament to attend a special training seminar in Dublin during the close season. He admitted that at least eight of that squad would be made up by Leinster players, but Connaught could have as many as three to four players included.

He is going to make a recommendation to the F.A.I. Youths Council on the matter. It will be considered at the next meeting of the council on April 23rd in Merrion Square.

Mr. Charlie Cahill, president, F.A.I. Youths Council, presented the Jimmy Kearney Cup to Shane Jackson, the Leinster captain.

Leinster: Justin O'Neill (Rivermouth), Dara Lynn (Dundalk), Gary Cronin (Stella Maris), Padraig Gollegley (Dundalk), Shane Jackson (Belvedere, capt.), David Byrne (Cherry Orchard), Derek Waters (Belvedere), Alan Quinn (Manortown), Richard Baker (Stella Maris), Ronald O'Brien (St. Joseph's), Peter McGinty (Dundalk). Res: Patrick O'Hanlon (Stella Maris), Padraig Lally (Colaiste Ida), Dara McDonagh (Cherry Orchard), Sean Mannion (Crumlin), Derek Cummins (W.F.T.A.), Paul Foley (Stella Maris).

Connaught: Fergus Farrell (Athenry), Lee Marshall (Glenview Stars), Gary Henry (Sligo Rovers Collegians), John Diviney (Salthill Devon), Michael J. Fadian (Achill Rovers, capt.), Adrian Cregg (Ballyhaunis), Aubrey Dolan (Sligo Rovers Collegians), Eddie Ward (Galway Hibs), Martin McNicholas (Castlebar Celtic), Sean Flannery (Sligo Rovers Collegians), Ciaran Martyn (Sligo Rovers Collegians). Res: Gordon McCann (Salthill Devon), David Forde (Galway Hibs), Vinny Costello (Skyvalley Rovers), Cormac Costello (Cloonfad), Sean Reilly (Castlebar Celtic), Kenneth Hyland (Straide & Foxford), David Goldby (Mervue).

Ref: H. Gallagher (Sligo). Man of the Match: Derek Waters (Belvedere).

Ulster take third place

Ulster ..................... 3 Munster .................... 1 Ulster turned on the style in the second half to win the third place play-off against Munster in the F.A.I. (Under-17) interprovincial series at Manulla, Castlebar.

Goals by Paul McGroarty, Sean White and Terence McColgan ensured the Northern side of a deserved victory. It was not a good tournament for Munster, defeated 2-0 by Leinster in their penultimate round clash.

Ulster: Lee White (Lifford Celtic), Edgar McGuinness (St. Catherines), Declan McGlinchey (Keadue Rovers), Barry McFadden (Buncrana Hearts), Ronan Coyle (Aileach), John McCaffrey (Kilmacrennan Celtic), Sean White (Moville Celtic), Terence Shiels (Letterkenny Rovers), Philip O'Donnell (Carndonagh), Alan Friel (Buncrana Hearts), Paul McGroaty (Dunkinella Celtic). Res: J.P. Clarke (Newtown), Conor Dowds (Finn Harps), Graham Doherty (Moville Celtic), Terence McColgan (Buncrana Hearts), J.P. Gallagher (Glenea United).

Munster: Niall Hobart (Kerry), Noel O'Donnell (Desmond), Charles O'Sullivan (Munster S.L.), Pat Purcell (Limerick), Ken McCarthy (MSL), Neil Horgan (MSL), Jonathon Deasy (MSL), Ken Ryan (TSDL), Stephen Daly (MSL), Kieran Ahern (MSL), Aaron Maroney (TSDL). Res: Leo Wong (Limerick), Brain Power (Waterford), Danny Graham (TSDL), Martin O'Leary (Cork AUL), Pat Browne (Waterford), Jonathan Hallihan (Cork AUL), Sean Dunne (Waterford).

Ref: D. Daly (Galway).

Connaught came from behind

Connaught ........................ 2 Ulster ........................... 1 Connaught were forced to come from behind before defeating a slick Ulster side in the semi-final of the F.A.I. (Under-17) Interprovincial championship at Milebush on Saturday.

Ulster took the lead in the 18th minute when J.P. Gallagher headed the ball past Athenry goalkeeper Fergus Farrell following Barry McFadden's corner-kick.

The home side equalised after half an hour through Ciaran Martyn following a spell of sustained pressure.

A goal early in the second half by Sean Flannery, following good work by Martin McNicholas, proved decisive.

Connaught: F. Farrell, L. Marshall, G. Henry, J. Diviney, M.J. Fadian, A. Dolan, E. Ward, C. Martyn, M. McNicholas, D. Goldby, S. Flannery. Res: A. Cregg (for Martyn); K. Hyland (for Ward); G. McCann (for McNicholas).

Ref: M. Cresham (Castlebar).

* In the other semi-final at Manulla, Leinster defeated Munster with goals in either half by Ronald O'Brien and Peter McGinty.

Leinster stage '98 finals

The future looks bright for the F.A.I. Youths (Under-17) Interprovincial series. . .at least for the next four years. The Leinster Football Association will stage the event in Dublin next year.

An agreement was reached following the inaugural tournament in Castlebar at the weekend.

John E. Griffith, secretary, Leinster F.A., expressed an interest in hosting the tournament as holders.

The proposal was agreed by John Curran, Ulster F.A., and Vinny Cummins, Munster F.A.

The series will be staged in Ulster in 1999 with the Munster F.A. hosting it in the year, 2000.

The Sligo\Leitrim Schoolboys & Youths F.A. is interested in hosting the tournament when it returns to Connaught in 2001.

Tribute to sponsors

The organisers of the tournament, the Connaught Schoolboys & Youths F.A., have thanked Jimmy Kearney, secretary, Roscommon Youths & Schoolboys League, for sponsoring the cup.

Other main sponsors included the Mayo Youths & Schools League, the Sligo/Leitrim Youths & Schoolboys League, the Galway Youths & Schoolboys League, the Roscommon Youths & Schoolboys League, Staunton Sports, Castlebar, Welcome Inn Hotel, Castlebar, Allied Irish Banks, Castlebar, John Kent Sport, Sligo, and Oliver Kelleher Trophies, Castlebar.

Special thanks was also extended to the committee of Manulla F.C. and Milebush Stadium Limited for the use of their grounds, as well as the members of the FAS Scheme for preparing the grounds.