U13 Boys Cup WP

 

U13 Boys Cup  

Mayo 1

Galway 0

Evergreen Park Kilkenny

Eoin Horkan

The U13 Mayo lads defeated Galway in Kilkenny early on Saturday afternoon with a magnificent football performance from tip to end.

Conor Carey made the first of Mayo's two shots on the Galway goal within a minute, and Tom Cunningham then tried his luck shortly after. Both of these attempts came close to hitting the upright.  Early on, Mayo had perfect control of the tie with to Matt Leonard's superb performance as the number nine. Because of his ability to exert control, Leonard was able to collect t a pass from Mattie Vahey and score. Carey and Vahey's efforts did not affect the scoreboard as Mayo continued to dominate.

Galway began to take control of the game after this early purple patch, which allowed them to create a series of quick-fire opportunities. Before his strike teammates Fionn Duffy and Daniel O' Halloran had opportunities that were denied by a staunch Mayo defence, Jonathan Echefy received the first of these. But was thwarted  by Ryan Nolan Mayo outperformed the opposition in the second half thanks to Leonard and the perpetually vivacious Robbie Ruane. At the interval, this left the smallest distance between the sides.

Galway came out stronger in the second half as they sought an equalizer. Early pressure led to a free kick at the edge of the box, but Nolan comfortably stopped Adam Lloyd's attempt. Moments later  from a Ruane corner, Mayo captain Mattie Vahey nearly doubled his team's advantage, but his header went over the crossbar. Since Galway’s substitute  goalkeeper was giving the Mayo back line trouble with his boot, switching goalkeepers almost proved to be a genius move. His lengthy passes to Jonathan Echefy resulted in two additional goal-bound attempts that Nolan masterfully stopped. Luke Barry, a Galway man who entered the game as a substitute, had an immediate impact but his attempt just missed the upright.

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 (Cunningham 50), Mattie Daly  (Leonard 57)

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.

Referee Mitch Corrigan