'Naive' United punished as Villa savour historic cup success

It is not often you see Mayo and Galway players celebrating together but all were united in blue as Moyne Villa won the Connacht Shield title.

Kilmaine’s Adam Barrett was a deserved pick for player of the match. He contributed two assists and his performance in the middle of the field was full of endeavor and quality, while at the other end, goalkeeper Luke Jennings pulled off some big saves to keep Westport United at bay when they were on top.

“Sometimes it’s Mayo versus Galway in training. It’s the Mayo lads who always come out on top!”, quipped Jennings, who plays his club Gaelic football for Ballinrobe. “The Galway lads are great and there is great banter between us. Everyone is so welcoming and we’re so gelled.” On the game, Barrett said: “Wrecked to be honest. It was a great win. The first half, we struggled and we were on the backfoot but as the game wore on, we improved every minute of the game. It was an unbelievable game.

“Maybe the goal in the first half was too early, I don’t know. We sat back which isn’t the right thing to do but it was gut instinct. The two goals won it in extra-time so we’re delighted.” “The defence has been brilliant all year,” added Jennings. “It’s my first year down here and it’s a great squad to be a part of. It’s great to get over the line. We recently got promoted back to the top tier so it’s something we’re building.

“We’ve a savage underage. The U16s won the Connacht Cup. Kyle Greaney, who came on, is only 16 and is one of our best players. The squad here is young itself. There’s a great future.” Westport United manager Kevin McNamara was understandably disappointed for his young squad.

“It was a game we should have been capable of winning. For long spells, we were very, very good. We ran out of energy with about 15, 20 to go. They got a grip hold on it and we had one or two good chances but so did they. Fair play to them in extra-time, they got their chance and took it. We just have to be a little more resilient in those periods and take our chances when they are there. We didn’t and got punished."

On Villa’s quick start, where they scored inside 90 seconds, McNamara said: “We were very naive in our start. It’s a very young squad. They have deserved the run and have shown what they can do for large spells but we’re just missing that presence up top that can take from a really good side to an excellent side and I’ll think that’ll come with experience.” While Villa’s season ends, United are back on this Thursday for a big game with rivals Ballina Town as both sides look to keep pace with league leaders Castlebar Celtic.

“We’re back in training on Tuesday. That’s the joys of the Super League, it rolls on. The best way to get over a cup final is to start again. That’s a really difficult Super League game. They had a great win last night. By Thursday, we’ll be ready to play again.”