Galway’s U-13 and U-16 Inter League sides into semi-finals

Local Soccer Scene with Mike Rafferty

There was an impressive Galway double in SFAI Inter League action over the weekend as both the U-13 and U-16 sides qualified for the national semi-finals following home wins over Sligo/Leitrim and Donegal Leagues.

Ironically, the victories were achieved with the Connolly brothers Aaron and Andrew both notching a brace for their respective sides.

SCHOOLBOY INTER LEAGUE
Galway League 2
Sligo/Leitrim League 1

The home side did all their best work in the opening-half in Eamonn Deacy Park on Saturday afternoon as they led 2-0 at the break, but then had to withstand a terrific challenge posed by the visitors in the second-half.

Sligo/Leitrim started the better as the imperious Liam Kerrigan had them threatening and probing with an array of skills, but just a Brian Molloy header threatened the home goal as they withstood the whirlwind start with a degree of comfort.

After Mathew Tierney brought an early save from Lorcan Callaghan, there was little the custodian could do as Aaron Connolly headed in a Ronan Manning corner on 16 minutes to give Galway a 1-0 lead.

Ten minutes later, they added to their tally when Joe Thompson released Connolly from half-way and the impressive striker duly obliged with the second past a helpless Callaghan.

The contest was certainly brought to life when the visitors pulled one back just four minutes the restart, Niall Moranhan applying the close range finish after Mark Diffley and Darren Somers provided the assists.

Minutes later Paul Towey crashed an effort off the crossbar, as the home side survived a difficult spell.

Outplayed for the third quarter, they regained some control in the closing stages and the introduction of Harry Rogers up front added to their strike force.

Chasing the game, the visitors were leaving gaps at the back and after being released by Connolly, only a terrific Callaghan save denied Rogers, while moments later good defensive cover by Patrick Benson denied him another opportunity from close range.

The win sets up a home semi final against the Midlands League on Saturday, May 11.

Galway League: Greaney, Lydon, Crowe (Asagri 40), McDonagh, Rooney, Brodrick, Francis (Kellagher h-t), Thompson (Rogers 56), Connolly, Manning, Tierney.
Referee: Gerry Fahy.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.