Westport United were hosts of the second annual Mayo News Boys Invitational Tournament at United Park on Saturday and despite the rain that fell throughout the day, it failed to dampen the enthusiasm of 280 children that joyfully showcased their talents. A total of 63 competitive and exciting matches were completed in a tournament that progressed like clockwork in a seamless and efficient manner in front of a large crowd of parents and supporters.

Reflecting the very high standards on show at United Park, each final produced some mouth watering ties with a high level of individual talent that captivated the large volume of parents and supporters in attendance. In the Oisin Kennedy Memorial Cup, Westport United took on Athenry FC and it was a very strong performance from Westport as they overcame a very spirited Athenry side. The Shield saw Westport United 2 up against a strong Conn Rangers side and it was another excellent Westport display as they won 3-0. Finally in the Plate, it was a very tight contest between two brilliant sides as Westport United 4 took on Ballinrobe Town 2 and it was Ballinrobe that edged a tantalisingly close game 1-0 and the presentations were made by members of the Kennedy family. In the Christy Moran Memorial Cup, Westport Colts took on Salthill Devon 2 and it was a competitive tie that was full of energy, between two top class sides, Westport ended up 3-1 winners. The Shield saw a very tight game between Castlebar Town and Westport Cruisers and it was a top class game with Castlebar Town winning it by the narrowest of margins, 1-0. The Plate saw another tight, competitive, high quality game between Galway Hibs and Manulla 2 and following a compelling finale, Galway Hibs were 2-0 winners. Finally, the Bowl saw an all Claremorris affair between Claremorris 1 and Claremorris 2. In a symbolic show of sportsmanship, both sides put in an excellent performance and rather than having an outright winner, both sides called their match a draw and the captains of both sides lifted the Bowl in a united and sporting gesture recognised by an appreciative audience and all the presentations were made by the Moran family and Michael Duffy, Editor of the Tournament Sponsors, the Mayo News. Also present for the presentations were Sean McKenna, Peter Flynn Snr and Aiden King, all hugely important club figureheads and Declan Murphy, who represented social media and website company, Clubify, whom Westport United signed up to recently while Club Chairman, Myles Staunton officiated at all the presentations. As this weekend is the first anniversary of the passing of the late Neill O'Neill, MD of the Mayo News, there were members of the O'Neill family present at the tournament and what they saw today is a fitting legacy to a man, who only last year, gave huge backing towards the tournament.

Westport United would like to thank The Mayo News for sponsoring the tournament and to all the clubs that entered. Many thanks to the volunteers that prepared the pitches and tidied the club facilities afterwards. Also thanks to the volunteers that prepared food and ran the tuck shop to look after all the kids and adults and thanks to the referees, pitch co-ordinators and fixtures/scorekeeping personnel for ensuring the smooth running of the tournament. Many thanks to Fahy Rovers for the loan of some goalposts for the tournament and to Frank Dolan for the photographs. If there are any omissions in the acknowledgements, the club would like to apologise to anybody that might be left out. A lot of hard work went into the preparation and execution of the tournament and the club is already looking forward to 2019