Town deny Iorras at the death for the double
Castlebar Town celebrate as winners of the Henry Downes U17 Cup Final after their win over Iorras Aontaithe at Umbro Park. Pictures: Conor McKeown
A remarkable turnaround resulting in a last-minute winner was the story of the U17 Cup Final on Saturday evening at Umbro Park for Castlebar Town.
The Moneen Road club trailed 3-1 to Iorras Aontaithe after 63 minutes but thanks to their persistence, emerged as champions come the full-time whistle.
Iorras spent the first 15 minutes on the back foot, but keeper Cormac Reilly did not face much pressure from the Castlebar attackers with the only half-threat coming from Ronan Barrett’s low cross that was nearly turned into Reilly’s goal by an Iorras teammate.
A silky, team move on the 17-minute mark gave Iorras the breakthrough. Keelan Barrett, who pulled most of the strings for Iorras during the first half found Jack Gaughan on the wing. He played a driving cross across the box which found Kyle Healy at the back post, and he applied the finish.
Castlebar Town continued to struggle to create chances. They had plenty of possession but ran afoul of linesman James Robinson’s flag on no fewer than eight occasions in the opening half and it was all-in-all a frustrating first 45. Owen McDonagh had the ball in the net with their best chance of the half after 27 minutes, but it was chalked off for offside.
Town levelled matters two minutes into the second half when Adam Jennings sent a free kick into the box. It came loose to Ronan Barrett and his deflected shot pinballed around the box and Olivier Krawcyzk reacted quickest to put the ball in the back of the net.
Iorras Aontaithe regained the advantage six minutes later. Kyle Healy sent a free kick into a dangerous area and Cathal O’Malley flicked it on past Jack Hose to make it 2-1. Healy lined up another free kick 10 minutes later from 40 yards out and this time, it floated all the way through into the back of the net.
Castlebar responded quickly. Ronan Barrett found Aaron Coogan up the right wing and Barrett continued his run, finishing Coogan’s low cross to give his side renewed hope with about 25 minutes left to play.
Iorras were dogged and resilient but after 87 minutes they were finally broken down. Adam Jennings was the provider once more and Ronan Barrett rose highest to meet his well-hit corner to tie the game up.
The clock struck 9.30pm; extra-time was looming along with nightfall, but Castlebar Town would draw the curtains on this game before the full-time whistle. After 97 minutes, Darragh Connor went on a lung-bursting run from centre back up the right wing and sent in a lovely cross. Olivier Krawcyzk was waiting at the back post to apply a neat, headed finish to win the game and the Henry Downes U17 Cup.
