U13 Boys Cup
Mayo 1 (Leonard 10)
Galway 0
Evergreen Park Kilkenny
Eoin Horkan
The U13 Mayo boys produced a magnificent display on football on Saturday
afternoon to overcome near neighbours Galway
in Kilkenny
Within a minute, Conor Carey took
the first of Mayo's two shots on the
Galway goal; immediately after, Tom Cunningham tried his luck. Both of these efforts
narrowly shaved the upright. Due to Matt Leonard's excellent play as a
number nine, Mayo took complete control of the tie early on. Leonard was able
to control the situation enough to receive a pass from Mattie Vahey and score.
The scoreboard remained unchanged despite Carey and Vahey's efforts as Mayo
maintained their lead.
After this early purple patch,
Galway started to control the game, which allowed them to generate a number of
quick-fire opportunities. Jonathan Echefy received the first of these before
his strike companions Fionn Duffy and Daniel O' Halloran had chances that were
thwarted by a resolute Mayo defense. I was then the turn of Leonard and the consistently energetic Robbie
Ruane, to gain a foothold as Mayo outperformed the opposition in the second quarter
. This resulted in the smallest gap between the sides at the interval.
Galway improved in the second
half as they looked for a leveller. After some early pressure, a free kick was
awarded at the edge of the box, but Nolan easily blocked Adam Lloyd's shot. The
Mayo captain Mattie Vahey almost increased his team's lead moments later from a
Ruane corner, but his header sailed over the crossbar. Switching goalkeepers
almost proved to be a brilliant idea because Galway's replacement goalie was
causing problems for the Mayo back line with his boot. Two more goal-bound
tries were the consequence of his lengthy deliveries to Jonathan Echefy, which
Nolan expertly blocked. Galway native Luke Barry, who came on as a replacement,
had an immediate impact but his shot almost missed the goalpost. It was Mayo
who heled out expertly to win this tie.
After the game manger Gabby
explained how “ it was a huge relief and after seven games they managed to dig
out the victory”.
He then went on to praise his
defence stating, “ that in seven competitive games we have not conceded a goal
it says a lot about our defence.”
Mayo; Ryan Nolan, Josh
O’Malley, John Murray, Ethan Duffy, Ethan Kelly, Mattie Vahey, Tom Cunningham,
Conor Carey, Matt Leonard, Rian Gavin, Robbie Ruane.
Subs Used Sean Nolan for Tom Cunningham
, Mattie Daly Matt Leonard.
Galway; Elim Griallais, Ethan
Horan, Liam Carberry, John Kelly, Colm McCarthy, Dylan Kilraine, Adam Lloyd,
Cayden Harty, Jonathan Echefy, Fionn Duffy, Daniel O’ Halloran
Subs Used; Callum Conway,
Thomas McCartan, Emmett Hawkins, Luke Barry, Eoin Mullery, Jack Nolan.
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