Castleview claim first FAI Umbro Youth Cup
Credit:
Castleview 4 Castlebar Celtic 0
Castleview of Cork claimed their first FAI Umbro Youth Cup trophy courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Castlebar Celtic in the national final which was played on a perfect Turner’s Cross pitch on Saturday afternoon.
Their win prompted scenes of jubilation from the local supporters who were witnessing the very first national title for the club from the Cork Youth Leagues.
Two goals in the space of four minutes midway through the second-half sealed the victory for the Cork team and it was a bridge too far the Mayo side who fought gallantly to stay in the game and still made it an entertaining match for the 1,500 strong attendance.
In a half where the wind played a major factor, it was Castlebar who had the first real opportunity on goal. Colm Nevin’s shot from outside the box sailing over the Castleview bar, while Castleview’s first real effort came just a minute later with Greg Harte’s snap shot going narrowly wide of the posts setting the scene of an exciting and skilful display from both teams.
Despite playing against the wind, it was the Cork team who were making the moves and creating chances for themselves, with limited ventures by Castlebar into the Cork half. Castleview’s Jason Magee and Harte had chances but could not convert their scoring opportunities.
The Cork team took the lead in the 42nd minute when Aaron O’Donoghue’s cross on the near side was met by Greg Harte on the far side of the pitch and his pass found Patrick O’Donoghue 12 yards out whose shot blazed into the top right hand corner of the Castlebar net, giving Paul Daly no chance.
Indeed the Mayo team can thank the sharpness of keeper Paul Daly who made a dramatic save from Kieran Kavanagh right on the stroke of half time to keep his team in the game and leave Castleview just one up at the break.
Opportunities also fell to Patrick O’Donoghue in the 49th minute and 56th minute, his efforts either scrambled away or shooting against the keeper, while Harte’s powerful header from a corner was narrowly over the bar as the Cork team looked to build on their lead.
Castlebar almost equalised in the 57th minute when Liam Flatley contested a high ball with Castleview keeper Conor Buckley in the box, but the keeper managed to hold on to the loose ball and avert the danger.
Castlebar even had an appeal of a penalty shot down in the 60th minute when Jordan Loftus went down in the area but was waved away by referee Brian Healy, but almost made up for it with team mate Colm Nevin’s powerful shot on the edge of the box caught by Buckley just seconds later.
Castleview doubled their lead on the 70th minute as keeper Conor Buckley’s kick out deceived the Castlebar defence and Castleview’s Greg Harte got the slightest of touches to turn the ball away from Daly and send the large Cork contingent delirious.
The third came from a corner in the 74th minute as Castlebar failed to clear and Aaron O’Donoghue stabbed the ball home from two yards in a goalmouth scramble, and despite attempting to come back into the game, Castlebar conceded a fourth in the 85th minute when out of nowhere, Castleview’s Jason Magee belted the ball from 25 yards into the back of the net and the trophy was well and truly coming to Leeside.
The Man of the Match Award was given to Castleview’s Greg Harte for his valuable contribution to his team’s historic and memorable victory and as team captain Conor O’Mahony held aloft the Youth Cup the Casteview supporters were already basking in a moment of history.
Castleview: Conor Buckley, Dylan Fenton, Conor O’Mahony, Corey Long, Jeremy Bridgeman, Kieran Kavanagh, Greg Harte, Steven Waters, Brian O’Keeffe, Patrick O’Donoghue, Aaron O’Donoghue. Subs: Jason Magee, Darren Mannix, Dean Murray, Jamie Carroll, Dylan McCarthy, Sean Fitzgerald, Jordan O’Connor
Castlebar Celtic: Paul Daly, Kenneth McDermott, Mark Howley, Stephen Walsh, Jamie Ivers, Colm Nevin, Johnny Walsh, Keith Mulchrone, Liam Flatley, Jordan Loftus, Jason Hunt. Subs: Adam Chambers, Gareth Dunne, Darren Mulray, Gavin Walsh, Gerry Hunt
Referee: Brian Healy.
