WEST CORK ACADEMY 3

SLIGO-LEITRIM 5

GER MCCARTHY REPORTS

THE West Cork Academy were knocked out of the 2025/26 SFAI National Inter-League U14 Schoolboys Shield following an eight-goal thriller with Sligo-Leitrim last Saturday.

Canon Crowley Park’s new playing facility played host to a cracking National Inter-League preliminary quarter-final tie.

Sligo-Leitrim made the journey south to face the host region’s academy. A place in the last eight of the SFAI’s U14 Schoolboys Shield competition was on the line.

Both teams were coming off a tough opening group phase but, creditably, produced a terrific encounter.

The visitors overcame a rocky start to build a 2-0 lead. Their opponents hit back however, turning a two-goal deficit into a 3-2 advantage. Unfortunately for West Cork, a physically stronger Sligo-Leitrim levelled in the closing stages and netted twice more to put an unfair gloss on the final score.

The Connacht side progressed to the shield quarter-finals while the West Cork Academy will contest the SFAI National Trophy competition.

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West Cork created two chances inside the opening five minutes. 

Rory Hurley’s low centre flew across the six-yard box before Ryan Healy Crowley headed wide.

The home team enjoyed a positive spell but, against the run of play, conceded the tie’s opening goal after ten minutes.

Bram Bagle struck a looping effort from outside the penalty area, deceiving West Cork’s defence and goalkeeper Eli Zabala, that nestled in the back of the net.

Sligo-Leitrim looked to capitalise as Zabala made a fine stop from Kyle Hannigan. West Cork were also indebted to Aodhan O’Mahony for clearing a header off the line a minute later.

Having weathered a difficult period, midfielders Ed Hough and Finbarr O’Mahony helped the hosts play their way back into the game. Dominating the second quarter, Donnagh Griffin just failed to connect with a far post cross.

West Cork were rewarded for their increased efforts with an opportunity to equalise after 23 minutes.

Kingsley Osagie Crosby forced a mistake from the Sligo-Leitrim defence, gained possession and was promptly brought down inside the penalty area. Osagie Crosby took responsibility for the resulting penalty but Ryan Fallon was equal to the effort.

Shaun Hough’s side continued to attack yet were fortunate not to fall further behind when Kyle Hannigan struck an upright just before the break.

Danny Carroll, captain of the West Cork Academy, referee Sean Doyle and Bram Bagle, captain of Sligo-Leitrim.

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A threat from set-pieces throughout the afternoon, Sligo-Leitrim doubled their lead when Matthew Kenneally headed in Hannigan’s corner after 38 minutes.

Yet, it was at that juncture that West Cork began their comeback.

60 seconds after going 2-0 down, Ryan Healy Crowley fired home from the edge of the box.

A rampant West Cork kept up the pressure and levelled matters in the 45th minute. The Connacht team’s failure to clear a corner was punished by Danny Carroll who made it 2-2 from close range.

West Cork weren’t content to sit back and Rory Hurley’s cross was handled in the box. That indiscretion resulted in the host’s second penalty after 50 minutes. This time, Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller sent the goalkeeper the wrong way and completed a remarkable West Cork comeback.

Chances came thick and fast during a frantic final ten minutes including West Cork heading another Sligo-Leitrim attempt off the goal-line.

The next goal would prove crucial and the visitors grabbed it five minutes from the end. Bram Bagle weaved past two defenders and found the bottom corner to make it 3-3.

Extra-time looked likely until Sligo-Leitrim were awarded a corner a minute from the end. James Ettary forced the ball over the line to break West Cork’s hearts.

Pushing up in search of a late equaliser, West Cork were caught out by a punted clearance which Matthew Kenneally finished to the net. The same player was sent off immediately after but Sligo-Leitrim ran out 5-3 winners. 

West Cork Academy: Eli Zabala, Aodhan O’Mahony, Conor Collins, Danny Carroll (captain), Dylan O’Brien, Ed Hough, Donnagh Griffin, Finbarr O’Mahony, Kingsley Osagie Crosby, Ryan Crowley Healy, Rory Hurley.

Subs: Patrick Hennigan, Charlie Daly, Tristan Hayes, Daniel O’Sullivan, Ben Machie, Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller, Caden Walsh, Jamie O’Connor, Oliver Kiely, Sam Kingston, Jack Horgan.

Sligo-Leitrim: Ryan Fallon, Callum Clarke, Ronan McNally, Charlie Scollan, Matthew Kenneally, Bram Bagle (captain), Lucas Ballantyne, Nicholas Curda, Keelan Noonan, Ruairi Minton, Oran Hynes.

Subs: Ruairi McHale, Isaac McDaid, Killian Downey, Kyle Hannigan, Conor Fallon, James Ettary.

Referee: Sean Doyle.