Connacht captured the Under 18 Boys’ Interprovincial trophy following a scoreless draw against Ulster in the last game of the six-match series in the AUL Complex, Clonshaugh yesterday afternoon.
Connacht knew a draw could seal the title even if Leinster overcame Munster in the other outing as Alex Lee’s side had a marginally better goal difference going into their final match with two wins from two already secured.
And as it worked out Leinster drew one apiece with Munster in the dying minutes of their game to deny Billy Woods’ side a win in the tournament following back-to-back success coming into Friday’s showcase. Leinster’s title hopes were dashed with only a share of the spoils on this occasion.
It’s the first title for Connacht Head Coach Alex Lee as he took over from Alan Murphy this season. Murphy amassed three titles during his ten year tenure, the last one coming in 2021.
Let’s look at how all the action played out.
The opening night saw Connacht come from a goal down to win 2-1 against Leinster in a closely fought encounter.
Neither side were able to convert any of their half chances as they went in at the break goalless.
Connacht star Qudus Adelanwa (Merlin College, Galway) saw his effort flash across goal four minutes into the restart.
However, it was Leinster who took the lead through Clonkeen College stalwart Rhys KNIGHT with a fantastic strike on 41 minutes.
Their lead was short lived as Connacht equalised six minutes later when Cillian TOLLETT (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard) converted from the penalty spot.
Two minutes later, Connacht grabbed a second with Eoin HANNON (Presentation College, Athenry) finishing neatly.
Hannon had his second and Connacht’s third goal of the evening eight minutes from time but the officials disallowed it for a handball in the build-up.
Alex Lee’s charges meriting the two points on offer.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Following a tremendous contribution for his province, Eoin HANNON was selected as POTM.
Match Day Two, Game 3 saw Connacht continue their winning ways with a hard fought victory over Munster.
Although it remained scoreless at the break, both teams created some great opportunities in front of goal.
Munster’s Aaron Cass (Abbey Community College, Ferrybank) saw his effort spray across the face of goal with quarter of an hour played while Evan Peelo (Coláiste an Phiaraigh, Glanmire) hit the crossbar seven minutes later.
Connacht’s Luc Griallas (Coláiste an Eachréidh, Athenry) headed wide of the upright just before the break.
Munster continued to apply the pressure with the impressive Jayden O’Donovan (St. Clement’s College, Limerick) craving out two brilliant chances to take the lead but he was denied brilliantly by Scanlon between the posts.
With 56 minutes registered, what proved to be the match winner came from Jack SWEENEY (Merlin College, Galway) as he smashed the ball home to the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway pupil and Connacht goalkeeper MacDaragh SCANLON was selected for the award following his numerous saves to keep his team in contention.
The final outing on Sunday afternoon saw Connacht entertain Ulster in a winner takes all contest.
Lee’s side knew a draw could be enough to clinch the silverware with earlier victories over Leinster (2-1) and Munster (1-0).
While Oisín McMenamin’s Ulster side needed to bounce back from their 1-3 defeat at the hands of Leinster a day earlier and bring back some of the form that saw them put four past Munster without reply on Friday’s opening night contest.
The opening 35 minutes didn’t see any clear cut chances to advance for either team while the second period saw Ulster the more creative.
Tiarnan Callaghan McElwaine ( St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny) had a brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock on 43 minutes as his glancing header just missed the target.
Rowan McGroarty (Loreto Community School, Milford) couldn’t connect properly to an in swinging ball in the box just on the hour mark.
While five minutes later, Niko Lovrekovic (Our Lady’s Secondary School, Castleblaney) played a delightful ball to Milford’s Conor Gibson but he too narrowly missed out at the far post.
Connacht also had a brilliant chance to take the win in the dying minutes of the game when Eoin Hannon (Presentation College, Athenry) was one on one with Corey Sheridan (Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon) but the Ulster netminder stood tall to deny Connacht the two points and keep his clean sheet.
It was a point apiece for the sides with Connacht just doing enough to see the game out.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
James MORAHAN of St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway was the worthy recipient of the accolade as he marshalled his side well throughout the game.
INTERNATIONAL SELECTION
As well as the Interprovincial title, this tournament is used as the key recruiting process for the underage International squad at schools level.
The Under 18 Boys’ Schools select compete in the SAFIB Centenary Shield annually. The team have completed since 2003 and the Republic of Ireland have won the competition seven times in 21 years, most recently in 2018.
International Head Coach, Derek O’BRIEN (Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore) will select an extended panel to attend the first assessment day which is scheduled for Saturday, December 14 in the AUL Complex.
CONNACHT PANEL
CONNACHT | Kyle GABBIDON (Coola Post Primary School, Sligo), Qudus ADELANWA, Jack SWEENEY, Denis SIRBU (Merlin College, Galway), Tommy LILLIS (Yeats College, Galway), Eoin GACQUIN, Jacob CARROLL, MacDaragh SCANLON, James MORAHAN (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Oisín KELLY (Ballyhaunis Community School), Cillian TOLLETT (St. Paul’s Secondary School, Oughterard) Callum LYNCH (Summerhill College, Sligo), Eoin HANNON, Zach LAWLESS (Presentation College, Athenry), Reuben GILLESPIE (St. Muredach’s College, Ballina), Luc GRIALLAS (Coláiste an Eachréidh, Athenry), Luca MENARINI (Coláiste na Coiribe, Cnoc na Cathrach)
Management | Alex LEE (St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway), Martin CONNEELY (Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin, An Cheathrú Rua), Ger CURRAN (Merlin College, Galway)
RESULTS
Friday, November 29
Connacht 2-1 Leinster POTM | Eoin HANNON, Presentation College, Athenry
Ulster 4-0 Munster POTM | Fionn McNAMARA, St. Patrick’s College, Cavan
Saturday, November 30
Munster 0-1 Connacht POTM | MacDaragh SCANLON, St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway
Leinster 3-1 Ulster POTM | Sam NEVILLE, Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge
Sunday, December 1
Leinster 1-1 Munster POTM | Alan ZBOROWSKI, St. Paul’s Community College, Waterford
Ulster 0-0 Connacht POTM | James MORAHAN, St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway
Points | Connacht 5, Ulster 3, Leinster 3, Munster 1
