Sligo Galway Cup 2024

 

Sligo Galway Cup 2024

 

2010 Elite

 

Tuesday

 

Cliftonville 3

 

Sligo Rovers 0

 

In their opening group game on Tuesday morning Rovers were beaten by their northern opponents with two first half goals making the difference

 

After a tough opening couple of minutes in this opening group the deadlock was broken within seven minutes when Callum Patterson found the net for Cliftonville. Within three minutes the lead was doubled when Kenzie Fitzpatrick broke away to finish.

The Trophy stuck to their game and battled back control after this early double.

A mix of some good defending and bad luck meant that Noel Maguire’s side could not get that elusive goal before the half time whistle.

After the break, the Ulster side netted their final goal when Martin McIlwaine slotted home/ Sligo held out defensively till full time to keep the score at three.

 

 

 

Wednesday

 

Colorado Rapids 1

 

Sligo Rovers 1

 

The cross Atlantic battle in the second group game produced some great football but neither side could be separated at full time.

 

After a tough opening game this tie against their US opponents was one to behold as the Rapids took the lead twelve minutes in when Jax Padgett found the back of the Sligo net. Within four minutes the tie was level when Sean Hopkins broke through for the Connacht side to smash the ball past the opposition keeper.

Both sides created chances after this opening flurry but neither could grab the elusive second goal as the tie finished level.

 

Thursday

 

Sligo Rovers 0

 

Leeds 1

 

A tough battle between two good sides was eventually decided when Leeds managed to manufacture a penalty which was converted for the only goal of the game.

 

From the opening minutes of this tie Sligo took early control in the middle of the park playing some lovely football for such a young side. They eventually created a couple of half chances which they couldn’t convert.  It was against the run of play when Leeds broke through and won a penalty which was duly slotted away by Curtis Manyika. It was all Rovers after this goal, but their great play couldn't break down a resolute Leeds rearguard.

 

We heard from Rover’s manager Noel Maguire after the game. He explains how “ he is happy with how his side have stuck to the game plan in each game and these results will help them develop over the next few seasons.”

 

Sligo Rovers 1

 

National Academy 2

 

A second half goal was the difference between these two elite sides midday Friday.

 

It was the Connacht side that flew out of the blocks creating two early chances, but both were kept out by the opposition keeper.  The deadlock was finally broken halfway through the half against the run of play when Robert Morgan unleashed an effort which flew into the top corner from twenty five yards. The Trophy kept the pressure on till half time but couldn't get that equalizer.

After the interval free kicks became the main way both sides were getting chances. One of these frees eventually fell to Danny Feeney who rattled the ball into the roof of the net. It looked like penalties were on the cards for this game until the Academy boys broke through Fionn McCormack who finished expertly.

 

 

Saturday

 

7th Place game

 

Cliftonville 2

 

Sligo Rovers 2

 

Only penalties separated these two sides in a four-goal thriller on Saturday morning.

 

Within minutes of the start of the game it was the Ulster side that got the ideal start finding the back of the net through Callum Patterson  Sligo battled back into this game but couldn't create any major changes before the half time whistle .

When the game restarted Sligo broke away on a counterattack striker Conor Cryan played a one two before leveling the tie eight minutes into the second half.  As penalties looked inevitable Cliftonville mounted an attack which was deflected into his own goal by a Sligo player. This didn't seem to affect the Connacht side as Senan Hopkins managed to level the tie.

Penalties were going to decide this final game on Saturday morning.

 

After the final match we got the thoughts of Sligo manager Noel Maguire. He details “how there were a lot of tired bodies at the end of the tournament but this didn't seem to bother them as they won their final game and battled till the end.”

He hopes that this experience” will help the side when they start the new season, and they can improve their position and finish in the competitions they are involved in.”

 

Pens

1st Conor Cryan (goal)

2nd Erik Chemiak (goal)

3rd Scott Williams (goal)

4th Ryan Maloney (goal)

5th Danny Feeney (goal)

 

 

 

 

 

Squad:

1     PADDY LOOBY

2     OISIN CORCORAN

3     POL ARNOLD

4     SCOTT WILLIAMS

5     DANNY FEENEY

6     RYAN MALONEY

7     SHANE FILAN

8     XAVI BUJNOWSKI

9     CONOR CRYAN

10    OSCAR FAHEY

11    ADAM REYNOLDS

12    SHANE CANNING

14    ROSS O'CALLAGHAN

15    ERIK CHEMIAK

16    SENAN HOPKINS

17    SEAN MONAGHAN

19    OISIN SCANLON

21    EVAN YEWELLET

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St John's

Tuesday

 

Salthill Devon 3

 

St John’s 0

It was an all-Connacht affair in St Johns first ever game in the Galway Cup but it was the home side used their knowledge of the pitch and condition to their advantage to win.

 

After a good start for the Sligo side, Devon broke away to take the lead against the run of play. Johns controlled the ball well this time but rattled the woodwork a couple of times but couldn't hit that elusive first goal. The home side added two more goals as the tie went on to ensure victory in a game that the scoreline definitely did not reflect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NDSL 3

 

St John’s 0

 

The northern Dublin used the strong breeze in Salthill to gain all three points against a Vaillant St Johns effort.

 

St Johns in their second match of the tournament were clearly here to play football on the ground. This didn't seem to work as the NDSL side managed to break through a couple of times to get three well taken goals.

When the Sligo side did manage to get hold of the ball they played some lovely Barcelona side football but couldn't break through a resolute opposition defense.

 

 

 

Thursday

 

St John’s 0

 

Finn Harps Academy 4

 

It wasn't to be for this young Sligo side in the northwest derby as they battled hard but two goals in either half saw them beaten by their Donegal opponents.

 

St Johns 3

 

Aisling Annacotty 3

 

Friday morning produced an amazing game of soccer with penalties the difference in this high scoring game.

 

With the aid of the breeze in the first half it was difficult for St Johns to play football. Their Limerick opponents got the better of the opening stages, netting inside ten minutes through Gavin O’ Connell.  This early goal didn't phase the Sligo boys as they had leveled within a couple of minutes when Nicolas Curda netted after a free kick. As the half went on both sides battled hard until the Limerick side headed in a ball from a corner just before half time when Tom Keogh rose high in the box.

When the game began after the half time St Johns battled back playing some lovely attacking football which eventually led to the equalizer when Keelan Noonan put a ball into the top corner . With eight minutes left in the tie the Sligo town side took the lead when Matthew Conneely coveted a penalty. It looked like this was enough to complete the comeback and win but the Limerick side had other ideas when Bobby Fitzgerald leveled the tie with the final effort of the game. Penalties were the only thing going to separate these two sides.

Penalties St Johns lost 6-7 on penalties

1st Shay Fox Goal

2nd Matthew Conneely goal

3rd Daniel Maye goal

4th James Ettery miss.

5th Nicholas Curda goal

6th Franek Walkowsli goal

7th Killian Downey goal

8th Ruairí Minton Saved

 

 

 

Saturday 11th place game

 

Athlone Town Academy 4

 

St Johns 2

 

This six-goal thriller in the Connacht derby was a sight to behold.

 

The Academy side started brighter when Cian Gallagher broke down the wing before rounding the goalkeeper to open the scoring. Within a couple of minutes, the tie was leveled when a Daniel Maye free kick found its way into the net from twenty-five yards.  As the half went on both sides created chances eventually it was Athlone who took the lead on the cusp of half time when Dara Fox broke away and his effort was deflected into the net.

After the resumption it was the Academy who extended their lead when Gallagher netted from outside the box. This didn't seem to bother the Sligo team as they kept plugging away and eventually narrowed the gap when Michael Kelly found himself in the right place at the right time.

With the last strike of the game Cian Gallagher completed his hat trick with a great strike from long range.

 

St Johns manager David Minton spoke after this final game explaining “how he was extremely proud of his team's performance. “he hopes that this experience will “ make his team believe that they can play against some of the bigger sides and hopeful this experience will help his young team in the SFAI and Connacht Cup in the upcoming season.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Squad:

1     TOBY GLENISTER

2     JAMES KEELEY

3     KEELAN NOONAN

4     KILLIAN DOWNEY

5     MICHAEL O'CALLAGHAN

6     JAMES ETTERY

7     MATHEW CONNEELEY

8     DANIEL MAYE

9     RUAIRI MINTON

10    NICHOLAS CURDA

11    MICHAEL KELLY

12    FRANEK WALKOWSLI

13    SHAY FOX

14    DYLAN CHMELIAK

15    KIAN MURRIN

16    SCOTT MURPHY

17    MAVERICK LYONS