Wonderful Westport retain Quigley Cup
Westport United celebrate with the Quigley Cup after defeating Conn Rangers in the final. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Westport United have won the Quigley Cup for the second year running after an emphatic victory over Conn Rangers on Sunday at Umbro Park.
Conn Rangers took the lead with 13 minutes played but joy was brief as Westport turned their overwhelming dominance into goals, equalizing less than a minute later and then extending their lead to 5-1 by the break. It is the first time a team has successfully retained the Quigley Cup since Castlebar Celtic’s successful defence in 2009.
“Everyone at U18 level in this county knows this is a prestigious cup, a beautiful cup, and we’re delighted to win it,” said Westport manager Mike McGeogh at full time.
The man of the match award went to Simeon Popov but there were multiple players who could have claimed it; Jack O’Malley for a powerful performance up front, Jack Walsh for his role in attacking midfield or Darragh Reynolds for leading the team from the centre of the park.
“The players delivered today. I went in at half time and I didn’t have a lot to say, other than keep doing what you’re doing. Someone asked me at full time who I thought man of the match was and I could have picked six or seven players from Westport.”
It has been all Westport before Conn’s JP Collins put through Thomas Varkonda for the game’s opening goal. The Coveys shook themselves down and went up the other end to score immediately, provided by Jack O’Malley.
With 28 minutes played, Darragh Corrigan rose highest to head home Rian Durkan’s corner to put Westport 2-1 up.
United enjoyed a purple patch before half time as Simeon Popov and Jack Walsh traded goals and assists. On the 38 minute mark, Walsh found Popov in the box with a lovely cross and though the header was well-saved by Conn keeper Anthony Howley, Popov tapped in the rebound.
Two minutes later, Popov turned provider for Walsh, sending in a low cross that Walsh tapped in under pressure from the Conn defence. Just before half time, Popov made it 5-1 with a brilliant finish and it really put the game beyond all doubt.
To the credit of Conn Rangers keeper Anthony Howley, he put in a terrific performance against wave after wave of Westport attacks. The forwards Jack O’Malley and Fionn McLaughlin really peppered the goal with shots and but for Howley, Westport would have been well into double figures.
Conn got one back on the hour mark through James Brogan but Westport would hit back once more. Jack Walsh added his second after a pass from Ethan McGing. Jack O’Malley made it a brace for himself with a goal in the 74th minute. In the 84th minute, Westport rounded up their scoring for the day with a goal from a well-worked attacking move involving Stephen Chambers and Jack O’Malley, who teed up Ethan McGing for the finish.
There were words of tribute to the late Pat Quigley and his wife Eleanor, for whom the Quigley Cup and Shield, won earlier that day by Ballyhaunis Town, are named during the first Quigley Cup presentation since his passing. The trophy was presented to Westport captain Thomas McGeogh by Pat and Eleanor’s son Shane and the Man of the Match trophy was presented to Simeon Popov by their granddaughter Tara.
