St Brendans Park Fc Youth Player Segun Duyile was the only member on the Munster squad who achieved A spectacular achievement for the Munster U18 Youth team this weekend as they put in three magnificent performances to ensure the FAI U18 Interprovincial Trophy was coming back down to Munster after spending a season in Connacht. Hopes were high for all involved as every corner of the province was searched in order to unearth these players. In total the management team of Frank Kelleher (Cork Youth League Academy / Cork City WFC), Declan Farmer (Ex-Limerick FC Assistant Manager/U19 Manager) and James Fogarty (Cork Youth League Academy, Ex-U19 Cobh Ramblers Head Coach) held trials for over 182 players and the team had the tough job of selecting the best 20 from the six counties. Once trials had been completed the provisional squad played two very worthwhile friendlies in Turners Cross V Cork City U-17s and U-19s. The squad was finalised and the management team was completed with the addition of goalkeeping coach Terry Ryan and Physio Darren Prince.
On Friday 16th October 2015, the squad made up of players form Cork, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Tipperary and Kerry along with the representatives from the Munster FA (Michael O Regan (Chairman), John Finnegan (Vice Chairman), Richard Browne (Independent member) and Peader O Leary (Cork Youth League) all started the long journey to Sligo where the tournament was being held.
From the early stages it was evident the organisation was going to be a key part of the tournament for this Munster team as rather than spending time in the hotel prior to kick off a training session as organised in the nearby grounds at Sligo IT in order to work on set pieces and shape. Training finished at 5:30pm and the players went direct to the beautiful seaside town of Strandhill to get ready for the first game v Ulster. Game started at a frantic pace with Munster scoring a goal from a set piece after just 3 minutes. Evidence that hard work and preparation does pay off. Munster dominated the game throughout and goals from Segun Duyile (St Brendan’s – Kerry), Dean Swords (Corinthians – Cork), Troy O Sullivan, Ciaran Kearney and Jordan O Regan (All Ringmahon – Cork) ensured it was a strong start with a 6-0 win.
Day 2 Saturday 17th October 2015, started with breakfast at 8:30am and another training session in order to change a few things and make sure all was in order. An hour on the magnificent pitch supplied by Sligo IT and the team were ready to load up the bus again. The next fixture was being played in Ballymote against the home province. A large crowd was in attendance and even the bus getting stuck didn’t seem to upset the preparations of the Munster team. Once again the Munster team started on the front foot and yet again an early goal was scored form a set piece. Once again it was that man Segun Duyile who got his head onto a great cross from Ciaran Kearney and the Munster men led 1-0. Connacht came into the game after that and keeper Stephen Ryan (Moneypoint FC– Clare) had to be on high alert for some crosses into the box. The Munster team weathered the storm and some great defensive performances were shown by Ryan Mawdsley (Ashling Anacotty – Limerick) and Captain Scott McCarthy (Corinthians – Cork) made sure that Connacht remained scoreless. As the game continued Munster upped the pace of the game and goals from Jordan O’Regan and Ciaran Kearney gave Munster another 3 points and a 4-0 win.
With results in the other games meaning that Munster were going into Day 3 Sunday 18th October 2015 and final game against Leinster knowing that a draw would be enough to win the tournament but they would have to do it against a strong Leinster side. But any fears of an upset were quickly put to rest as goals from Jordan O’Regan and Ciaran Kearney meant that Munster had an early lead. Blarney United player Patrick Crowley was instrumental in setting up the two goals and some individual skill from Limerick man Trevor Daly (Fairview Rangers) made sure this was going to be Munster’s day. But then Leinster got a life line when a mix up in the back line let Leinster back into the game with a well taken goal. This gave the Leinster team a lift and they created a number of chances but goalkeeper Craig Dunphy (Tramore AFC – Waterford) made some outstanding chances to make sure Munster were not going to give up this lead. With seconds before the half time Munster got the goal that would settle the nerves when some fine individual skill form Corinthian’s man Dean Swords who put the ball to striker Jordan O’Regan who couldn’t miss. 3-1 at the break and the All Ireland medal was almost in sight. Munster made changes at half time with Waterford duo Corey Gallagher (Tramore AFC – Waterford) and Shane Whittle (Piltown – Waterford) adding strength to the Munster team. Another change brought Brendan Mylett (Bohemian’s – Waterford) onto the right wing and within minutes he had scored his first goal of the tournament as he skipped passed the defender and smashed the ball into the top corner. This ensured victory and Munster even had time to add two late goals with Jordan O Regan completing a hat trick and ending up the tournament’s top goal scorer and player of the tournament.
Although a number of players stood out for the duration of the tournament Assistant Manager Declan Farmer stated after the game that this was the best team performance he had seen in a long time and that he was amazed how quickly so many players from different counties gelled together so quickly. He was really impressed with the performances from Ethan McNevin (Lifford AFC – Clare) and Evan Lynch (Janesboro- Limerick) who he had previously coached in Limerick FAI Centre of Excellence.
Manager Frank Kelleher was overjoyed and told anyone who would listen that this was one of the best teams he had worked with and that the bar had now well and truly been set at an all-time high and that organisation and preparation was the key to such a convincing FAI U18 Interprovincial Tournament win.
