SFAI U16 CUP: CONN RANGERS (MAYO) 3 STRAND CELTIC 1
Ballina

Our U16 side were unfortunate to exit the national cup in Ballina on Saturday last. Despite having lots of possession a failure to convert chances proved their undoing. Despite playing most of the second half after the rather harsh red card dealt to Conor Morahan the team continued to keep the ball well and were unlucky to exit to two superb late strikes from Conn Rangers.

The first half saw our lads dominate midfield and some good strikes from Aaron Tiernan, Ronan Walsh and Peter Patton were narrowly wide. The Conn Rangers keeper also kept out a Ronan Walsh effort from close range. At the other end Conn Rangers broke quickly on the counter attack and were a constant threat. Indeed it was on one of these breaks that they took the lead when a deflected shot looped over Oisin Conway. The lads equalised on half time when an Aiden Kenny shot was handled and Aaron Tiernan rattled home the penalty.

The earlys ending off in the second half changed the game and Conn Rangers came more into thematych but the centre back pairing of Hadi Mousa and Gavin Sweeney were dominant and limited the Conn Rangers chances. Strand still kept probing and Mark McCallion released Ronan Walsh who was unlucky to see his shot brilliantly saved by the home keeper. A short corner ten minutes from time was fed to the Conn Rangers striker who fired home an unstoppable shot to give the home team victory.