Mervue Utd U-17s complete the League and Cup double

Mervue United’s haul for trophies for the 2012/13 season is now standing at an impressive 15 after the club’s U-17 ‘A’ side completed the league and cup double when capturing the U-17 League title last week.

Mervue United and Hibs/Foyle had to play their final two league games against each other on successive nights last week in what was a shoot-out for the title, with both sides going into the games on 15 points, and it was the side managed by Paul Moynihan and Ollie Neary and coached by Tony Healy that took the honours, winning 3-1 at home on Wednesday night, and then playing out a 2-2 draw in Bohermore on Wednesday night.

They came from a gaol down at half-time in Fahy’s Field on Tuesday night to put themselves in the driving seat for the title, Padraic Cunningham heading home from an Andrew Connolly corner for the equaliser.

The pair teamed-up again for Cunningham to fire Mervue into the lead with 15 minutes remaining, and Chris Carroll made sure of all three points with a late third. That left them three points ahead of their opponents going into the last game the following night, needing a point to secure the title.

They got that point the following night, twice taking the lead against Hibs/Foyle with goals from Andrew Connolly and Padraic Cunningham, only to be pegged back on both occasions, but the home side were unable to find the winner that would have tied the teams at the top of the table and forced a play-off.