Results: The U.15s took on Corofin in the rematch of the SFAI Evans Cup in the Sports Park on Saturday. The fixture was abandoned at 1-1 with ten minutes to go due to the referee attaining an injury with Westport on top in that game. Westport might have had the territorial advantage in the first half with Alan Carroll shooting over and a great move by Gary Barnicle, who fed James Gibbons to set up James O’Donnell, who shot wide. As in the first game, it was Corofin that took the lead, and it was from a corner that went all the ways to the back post for a close range finish. Corofin started the second half stronger and tested Conor O’Malley with a couple of efforts. The visitors doubled their lead with a simple tap in after Conor O’Malley parried the initial shot. Westport came close through Brian Mullen when he shot just wide, but the Corofin keeper had little to deal with in shots throughout the game, as they came away with a 2-0 win. In defeat, hopefully, the Westport players will learn that communication is a vital component on a football pitch as well as creating space and finding angles to receive passes and look to become better at retaining possession of the ball against better players.

The Sports Park was served up a classic of a game on Sunday afternoon as the Juniors took on High Flying Galway side, Corrib Rangers in the Third Round of the Connacht Cup. In a game that was end- to-end, the Red and Black took the lead through Kevin Joyce, before the Tribesmen equalised. David Hoban made it 2-1 for the ‘Port, but Rangers bit back before half time. Westport put Rangers to the sword and David Hoban made it 3-2 early on. Dessie O’Malley added with a spectacular thunderbolt to make it 4-2, and it looked like game, set and match. Corrib pulled one back to 4-3 and were on the ascendancy once more, piling the pressure on the Westport goal; the pressure paying off with a dramatic equaliser. United were  rattled but regrouped to rescue the game that was played at lightning pace. United got their noses in front through the evergreen Vinny O’Malley but there was a twist in the saga as Corrib Rangers, in the dying seconds, had an open goal, and somewhat blazed the ball over the bar. It was a let off in a classic game of football, but United held out in a 9 goal thriller to advance to Round Four.

Fixtures: The Juniors are home to Snugboro in a rearranged Elvery’s Super League game in the Sports Park on Sunday at 2:00. Please come out and support your local team.

County News: Johnny Smith and Johnny Walsh both represented Mayo in their home tie against Donegal recently, with the Ulster side winning 2-0

Took place in the Castlecourt Hotel recently in what was a night in which the good things about Westport United was celebrated. The crowd that was present witnessed the U.13s being honoured for their recent league success and the junior team receiving their Super League winners medals from last season. It was an opportunity to meet with the major sponsors of the club and they got their pictures taken for their presentations for the club. The club also made a presentation to Mary Gannon, a framed and signed Republic of Ireland jersey, for her hard and diligent work behind the scenes. The following were the raffle winners: 

1st Prize - Kay Curry, James St Westport Co Mayo (Seller Fionn McDonagh)   
2nd Prize - M Gavin, Mountainview, Murrisk, Westport (Seller Mark McDonagh)   
3rd Prize - Bridie McLoughlin, Bohea, Liscarney, Westport (Seller Christopher?)   
4th Prize - Michael Mooney, Claremorris, Co Mayo, (Seller?)   
5th Prize - Alan McLoughlin, O’Grady’s Pub, (Seller Martin McGreal) 
6th Prize - Brendan Gill, 17 Railway Walk, Westport, (Seller David Cameron) 
7th Prize - Pop Moran, (Seller Gary Cunningham)

Get Well Soon
To the club’s Child Welfare Officer, Mary Gannon, who is currently in hospital. Mary is the mother of the club PRO, Kenneth Gannon.

Vote of Sympathy
Has been extended to the Lavelle family, Mill Street, Westport and to the Gillivan family, Dublin, on their recent bereavements.

County/Academy News

Congrats are being extended to the following: Paul Lambert, Killian Kilkelly and Mikey O’Brien on being selected for the U.11 Local ETP, to David Ring for being selected for the U.12 Local ETP, to Patrick Moran, Diarmuid McGreal, Ray Nugent and Brian Spring for the U.13 Local ETP, to Padraig Keane for the U.14 Regional ETP and to Conor O’Malley and James O’Donnell for the U.15 Regional ETP.

There were three Westport United representatives on the Mayo U.18 side that defeated  Inishowen 2-1 in Buncrana. Gary Cunningham was in goal, Johnny Smith was a central defender while PJ Calvey came on as sub and got the winning goal. In the Oscar Traynor Cup tie against Inishowen in Milebush, Westport United were well represented by Joe Lawless and Martin Geraghty at centre half, Danny Scahill and David Horkan in central midfield and Dessie O’Malley up front. Dessie O’Malley grabbed a brace while Horkan got one in Mayo’s 5-3 win.