Cork Youth football team retaining their title on penalties was the highlight of the weekend

Last weekend was a great one for Cork Youth football.

The Cork Youth League team retained their Munster Youth Inter-League Cup after a very tough game against a very good Limerick District League that went to extra time and penalties at Carrig Park in Fermoy. 

Also, on Saturday, Kinsale continued their expressive form when they beat Newcastletown West in the FAI U17 National Cup by five goals to nil at Gortnaglough Astro and Midleton cruised into the semi final of the U17 Gussie Walsh Cup with a 6-0 victory over Kilworth Celtic at Knockgriffin.

Credit to the both sides in the Munster Youth Inter-League final as they had to withstand terrible weather conditions, however, they both served up a very entertaining and thrilling game of football for the large attendance to enjoy.

The Cork side showed great composure and heart when they went behind 2-1 very late in the game, however, they got rewarded for all their hard work when they equalised with seven minutes remaining in the game. 

Both sides couldn’t be separated in the extra time periods, but Cork were victorious in the penalty shootout and now go on to defend the FAI Inter-League Cup early in the new year.

They were many heroes for the Cork team on the day with Scott Busteed and Liam Lynch excellent at the back, Ben Fitzgerald and Warren O’Mahony were both very effective ahead of them. 

Although Cian O’Callaghan and Alex Bollard got the all important goals for Cork, it was their goalkeeper Zack Lynch-Healy, who was the star of the show, making two big saves in the penalty shootout.

The Cork manager Connor Murray was delighted with his troops after a very tight game and was full of praise not only for the first eleven that started the final, but his entire squad of 22 players and his management team Don O’Mahony and Cian Ford.

“Firstly, I’m so happy for the players, Don and Cian, because even though we didn’t have much time to prepare the work everyone put in that last few weeks they got their reward today.” Conor said.

“We expected a tough game from Limerick and that's what we got.

“There was a very strong wind which made things hard for both sides and we couldn't get our passing game going. 

"It took us nearly 30 minutes to settle but once we did, we got on top and mostly controlled the game thereafter. 

"We missed a few chances to win it in normal time, but I felt with Zach on goal we had the advantage in the penalty shootout and so it turned out with Limerick missing three spot kicks.

“When we came in the first thing we said was it was all about the players that is why we felt that all of the 22 of the squad has played their part in winning this trophy. 

"We have played all the squad in our two games because we felt it was so important that in such a short format that it would be a little unfair if some of the lads didn’t get to play.

“We can now look forward to the FAI Inter-League semi final in the new year and we will prepare accordingly for that match, however, the lads should enjoy this moment because it’s not everyday that you win a Munster final cup winners medal,” a very happy Murray added after the game.