THE West Cork Academy’s interest in this season’s SFAI National U13 Schoolboys Inter-League Trophy was ended by Galway Maroons.

Canon Crowley Park was the venue for Shane Hurley’s U13 squad’s SFAI National U13 Schoolboys quarter-final on Saturday afternoon.

Previously, a preliminary quarter-final victory away to Limerick County was one of the West Cork Academy U13 schoolboys’ best performances of the season. Iarla McElhinney and Sonny Crowley scored in the second half to seal a 2-0 win and book their place in the last eight.

Galway Maroons were drawn to face West Cork. The Connacht side had also impressed in their run to the quarter-finals, including a 3-0 defeat of Wicklow in their previous outing.

Galway settled quickly and took their chances when they arose. Despite gallant West Cork defending, it was the visitors who built a 2-0 lead and held that advantage until the half-time whistle.

Admirably, West Cork refused to panic and produced a blistering second-half display. The goals flew in as the home side bounced back from a two-goal deficit. Ardfield’s Oisín Cullinane made his presence felt by twice finding the net, while West Cork’s third goal came through Riverside Athletic’s Noah Kingston.

Galway were not to be denied, however, and netted a third to make it 3-3 and send a breathless quarter-final to extra time.

Both sides were exhausted from their second-half efforts, so it came as little surprise that there were no further additions to the scoreboard. A cracking contest ended 3-3 after extra time.

That meant a penalty shootout was required to decide the outcome. Once again, both teams demonstrated their quality and composure from the spot. A nerve-jangling shootout went to sudden death before Galway Maroons edged it 6-5.

It was a heartbreaking outcome for West Cork Academy, who gave their all during a titanic battle. Despite the loss, the U13 schoolboys’ progress has been impressive since the start of the academy season.

There is much for this group of West Cork players to look forward to, not least next year’s SFAI U14 Kennedy Cup at the University of Limerick.

‘We stormed back from two down and took the game to extra time but lost out on penalties in the end,’ West Cork Academy U13 head coach Shane Hurley told The Southern Star.

‘Losing 6-5 on sudden death was hard on the lads. I am hugely proud of them though, especially the character they showed in coming from 2-0 down.

‘The whole squad, all 20 players, were used today and will have benefitted from the experience. They have made great strides this year. They have also set themselves up to be ready for next year’s Kennedy Cup at the University of Limerick. Again, I couldn’t be prouder of them.

‘I also want to say a big thank you to all the parents and supporters who got behind the lads in Canon Crowley Park. As always, we are hugely thankful to Drinagh Rangers for the use of their fantastic new facility.

‘Also, Michael Burgoyne was a huge help to me and the team, assisting us this season.

‘It was an excellent encounter between two very good sides, but this West Cork U13 schoolboys group has a lot to look forward to.’

West Cork Academy U13 Schoolboys: Alfie Power (Beara United), Dan Brady (Riverside Athletic), Noah Kingston (Riverside Athletic), Zach Murphy (Clonakilty AFC), Eoin Hayes (Ardfield), Iarla McElhinney (Bantry Bay Rovers), Luca O’Donovan (Clonakilty AFC), Rian O’Mahony (Riverside Athletic), Sonny Crowley (Lyre Rovers), Tiernan O’Regan (Lyre Rovers), Oisín Cullinane (Ardfield), Oskar Ustjanowski (Bantry Bay Rovers), Max O’Keefe (Clonakilty AFC), Leo Pezza (Ardfield), David Lyons (Lyre Rovers), Miguel Meneza (Ardfield), Pádraigh O’Donovan (Lyre Rovers).

The West Cork Academy U12B schoolboys who lost away to Limerick County.

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The West Cork Academy U12B schoolboys travelled to the Mungret astro in Limerick for a meeting with Limerick County in the SFAI National U12 Schoolboys Inter-League Trophy quarter-finals on Sunday.

Amid awful weather conditions, the visitors gave a fine account of themselves. Heavy rain and a strong wind made life difficult, especially during an opening half in which West Cork were unlucky to change ends 1-0 behind.

Having created numerous chances, the visitors were hit by a four-goal barrage during a torrid five-minute spell in the second period. Limerick added another goal shortly before the final whistle.

A 6-0 final score was harsh on a West Cork Academy side that worked tirelessly throughout the hour. Despite the loss, Colin Ronan and Chris Moynihan were a threat whenever in possession. Rory Harrison also played well at centre back, but the entire West Cork Academy team produced a battling display in trying conditions.

Earlier in the inter-league campaign, the West Cork Academy U12As were knocked out of the SFAI National U12 Schoolboys Inter-League Shield following a 1-0 quarter-final defeat at Canon Crowley Park. As with the U12Bs, the region’s U12As have a bright future in academy football.

West Cork Academy U12B Schoolboys: Colm Buckley, Luke Browne, Kyrll Pereveantlev, Stephen Hayes, Eoghan O’Driscoll, Aaron O’Connor, Tomás Hayes, Colin Ronan, Chris Moynihan, Fionn O’Connell, Rory Harrison, Arlo Rose, Iarlaith Rohan, Alex Collins, Ben Cronin.