GEORGE BEST COMMUNITY CUP FINALISTS 2010
Mayo U.17s travelled to Belfast on Thursday July 15th – Sunday July 18th to take part in the George Best Community Cup and were pitted in a group with Cregagh Wanderers, Doyle FC and Cabinteely United.
GROUP STAGE: MAYO V CREGAGH WANDERERS 5-0
Mayo's first game was against Cregagh Wanderers at Ashfield Boys High School and Mayo dominated the game from start to finish. Leroy Nevin put Mayo 1-0 up early on with a tidy finish. Michael Corrigan soon doubled the lead and Mayo were on the ascendacy. Cormac Rushe made it 3-0 a minute later and it was pretty much easy for Mayo.
The second half saw Mayo maintaining their territorial dominance and made it 4-0 with a Jamie Fallon penalty. Stephen Coen wrapped up the scoring in a game that Mayo were rarely troubled and Brian Mullen made an impression when he came in as a sub late in the game.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, James O'Donnell, Andrew Shally, Padraig Keane, Martin Owens (Capt), Leeroy Nevin, Conor Byrne, Jamie Fallon, Cormac Rushe, Michael Corrigan, Stephen Coen. Subs: James Stretton-Leeroy Nevin, Andrew Peters-Cormac Rushe, Diarmuid O'Connor, Padraig Keane, Brian Mullen-James O'Donnell, Edward Hanlon-Conor O'Malley.
GROUP STAGE: MAYO V DOYLE FC 2-1
Mayo moved onto Shorts grounds after lunch and their first assignment on that ground was a tie against Doyle FC. The game turned into a battle as Doyle FC put in lots of robust challenges, while Mayo had plenty off opportunities to get their noses in front. Mayo eventually broke free from the shackles of being goalless when Michael Corrigan put his side ahead.
The second half saw Doyle causing Mayo some problems and hit the crossbar with one effort. Mayo started to create chances again but came under some very hard challenges by a very tough side. Mayo eventually doubled their lead with a header by James O'Donnell, following great set up play which he instigated himself in his own half, but Doyle did pull a goal back to set up a nervewrecking final ten minutes. Mayo held out to win and set up their encounter with Cabinteely to go through to the final stages.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, Martin Owens, Andrew Shally (Capt), Padraig Keane, James O'Donnell, Conor Byrne, Jamie Fallon, Diarmuid O'Connor, Leeroy Nevin, Michael Corrigan, Stephen Coen. Subs: Jack Feeney-Jamie Fallon, Cormac Rushe-James O'Donnell, Andrew Peters-Conor Byrne.
GROUP STAGE: MAYO V CABINTEELY 3-1
Mayo approached the Cabinteely game knowing that a draw would win the group and started off slowly but once they got going, they ended up playing the best football of the day. Cormac Rushe opened the scoring with an excellent finish for Mayo and that is how it panned out at half time.
Mayo, with Jack Feeney massively growing in confidence in right midfield, looked pretty good and deserved to double their advantage with Leeroy Nevin netting his well deserved second of the day . Cabinteely did get a goal back against the run of play but Stephen Coen did finish off the game to earn Mayo a 3-1 win and their table topping performance earns them a crack at Bohemians from Dublin in the morning in the quarter final of the George Best Community Cup. It will be a difficult challenge as Mayo would be looking to be playing in The Oval, home of Glentoran on Sunday, if they come through tomorrow.
Mayo: Edward Hanlon, Martin Owens, Conor Byrne (Capt), Brian Mullen, Diarmuid O'Connor, James Stretton, Jack Feeney, Andrew Peters, Leeroy Nevin, Jamie Fallon, Cormac Rushe. Subs: Michael Corrigan-Leeroy Nevin, Stephen Coen-Jamie Fallon, James O'Donnell-Conor Byrne.
QUARTER FINAL: MAYO V BOHEMIANS 4-0
It was an important day for Mayo today as they bid to progress to the final of the George Best Community Cup. They started off against Bohemians in Short's ground and from the outset, they were up against better opposition. Mayo did have opportunities, while Bohemians were threatening themselves in a first half that did not see any goal but played at a good tempo with exciting football from both sides.
The second half saw Mayo breaking the deadlock with Michael Corrigan finishing off a good Mayo move. Bohemians came close with a header before Conor Byrne made it 2-0 with a spectacular cross cum shot from a header back out from Michael Corrigan. Mayo were in cruise control at this point and were awarded a penalty following a trip on Cormac Rushe. Jamie Fallon emphatically struck home his spot kick despite protests from the Dublin club. Mayo wrapped up the match in style when Stephen Coen set up Leeroy Nevin to finish off calmly like the proverbial hitman. It was enough for Mayo to set up a semi final encounter against Loughgall.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, Martin Owens, Padraig Keane, Andrew Shally, James O'Donnell, Conor Byrne, James Stretton, Andrew Peters, Cormac Rushe, Michael Corrigan, Jamie Fallon (Capt.). Subs: Stephen Coen-Michael Corrigan, Diarmuid O'Connor-Cormac Rushe, Leeroy Nevin-Andrew Peters.
SEMI-FINAL: MAYO V LOUGHGALL 3-2
The semi final, played at Dundela's ground, turned out to be quite a bruising encounter as Loughgall went in with thunderous tackles, with Michael Corrigan singled out for some rough treatment early on. Conor Byrne volleyed Mayo into the lead early on before the heavy challenges rumbled in. Loughall caused Mayo a number of problems before netting an equaliser. The half was on tenderhooks until Conor Byrne put Mayo back in front with an excellent left foot finish into the top right hand corner of the net, a goal which had everyone in the grounds in awe.
Loughgall nearly equalised early in the second half with a effort that hit the post, but Mayo went 3-1 up when Michael Corrigan confidently rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home. Mayo had chances to put the game further beyond doubt but Loughgall came back strongly and did manage to pull a goal back near the end. Mayo then held out for a famous victory and are now playing Dundalk in the George Best Community Cup Final tomorrow afternoon in The Oval in Belfast. It promises to be a good game and the squad and management are excited at the prospect of a cracking final and the few supporters that travelled up to Belfast hope that the lads do Mayo proud, win, lose or draw.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, Martin Owens, Andrew Shally, Padraig Keane, James O'Donnell, Cormac Rushe (Capt.), Andrew Peters, James Stretton, Conor Byrne, Michael Corrigan, Stephen Coen. Subs: Jamie Fallon-Michael Corrigan, Leroy Nevin-Andrew Peters, Diarmuid O'Connor-Cormac Rushe, Jack Feeney-Conor Byrne.
FINAL: MAYO V DUNDALK 1-2
Mayo took on Dundalk in the final of the George Best Community Cup in The Oval, Belfast, this afternoon. The first half saw mostly half chances with Dundalk hitting free kicks over the bar and Mayo putting the Oriel keeper under pressure with crosses piled in on top of him and had to make a good save from James O'Donnell. Mayo played the better football and won a number of corners, while Dundalk had an opportunity that flashed wide. Dundalk took the lead through their best player and player of the tournament Gerard Mc Sorley when he broke through the Mayo rearguard to finish past Conor O'Malley. Mayo looked initially rattled but started to knock the ball about again, playing the better football up to half time.
Mayo began the second half playing the football while Dundalk were playing more of a direct game. Conor O'Malley made a decent save but Mayo continued to put the Louthmen under pressure. Mayo's good football was rewarded when Jamie Fallon brilliantly volleyed home a much deserved equaliser. Not long after that, Mayo were hit by a sucker punch as the Dundalk striker, that made a great impression all tournament, netted again to put Dundalk 2-1 up. Mayo probed and played but the Dundalk defence held firm. The keeper pulled off a fine save from Conor Byrne and a pin point pass from Jamie Fallon to pick out the inrushing Michael Corrigan, just skidded over the recently rained on Oval’s surface to go out over the line, and Mayo nearly snatched what would have been a deserved equaliser at the end when one of the young stars of the competition, Stephen Coen fired just wide. It wasn't to be for the gallant Mayo men who worked hard over six games in three days and gave absolutely everything to the cause. Every player played their part in what was a memorable tournament, despite the initial setbacks with the unavailability of players, some of which through injury and the late withdrawl of others, great credit goes to all the young stars drafted in to the squad and who indeed proved themselves worthy to to be part of this Mayo squad and who will gain on the experience for further competitions, players like Stephen coen, Diarmuid O’Connor, Jack Feeney and Brian Mullen contributed a great deal in every way to the success in Belfast. The organisers have already extended the invitation to come up again next year to East Belfast.
Mayo: Conor O'Malley, Martin Owens (Capt.), Andrew Shally, Padraig Keane, James O'Donnell, Leeroy Nevin, James Stretton, Conor Byrne, Cormac Rushe, Jamie Fallon, Michael Corrigan. Subs: Stephen Coen-Michael Corrigan, Andrew Peters-Leeroy Nevin, Diarmuid O'Connor-Cormac Rushe.
Squad: Conor O’Malley (Westport Utd), Andrew Shally (Claremorris), Martin Owens (Charlestown Ath), Padraig Keane (Westport Utd), James O’Donnell (Westport Utd), Conor Byrne (Kiltimagh/Knock Utd), Andrew Peters (Claremorris), James Stretton (Claremorris), Cormac Rushe (Charlestown Ath), Michael Corrigan (Charlestown Ath), Jamie Fallon (Castlebar Celtic), Leeroy Nevin (Ballina Town), Stephen Coen (Claremorris), Edward Hanlon (Charlestown Ath), Diarmuid O’Connor (Ballyheane), Brian Mullen (Westport Utd), Jack Feeney (Swinford).
Management Team: Pat Corrigan, Mark Peters, Mick Wallace, Seamus Mc Walter (Physio) & Kenneth Gannon (PRO).
Tournament Scorers: Michael Corrigan-4, Jamie Fallon-3, Conor Byrne-3, Leeroy Nevin-3, Cormac Rushe-2, Stephen Coen-2, James O’Donnell-1.
The Players and Management wish to thank and express their appreciation to the following who contributed a great deal to the team’s participation in this competition:
Paul Byrne (FAI Development Officer) for his coaching assistance, Paul Ginty (PG Team Fitness) for fitness work, Milebush Park, Mayo Schoolboys/Girls & Youths League, Padraic Corduff (Corduff Travel) for his Trojan work and support during the squad’s stay in Belfast, The Parents and Families who travelled and stayed in Belfast during the duration of the competition and to those who telephoned, texted and e-mailed best wishes and in particular to the Parents and Players who were contacted at short notice regarding the competition due to late withdrawls, To Mid-West Radio for its regular updates and newspapers for their coverage. Thank you to Kevin Coughlan, Westport also for his sponsorship towards the Mayo Squad.
A massive ‘Thank You’ to Seamus Mc Walter who travelled and stayed with the group on his own time, ensuring that the players were injury free and fit throughout the tough series of games.
Search
