REVIEW: SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Finals
It was a memorable weekend in Letterkenny for the SFAI Skechers Ulster Regional Finals, with 10 teams competing for five cups from the ages of U12 to U16.
Organised with the help of Ulster co-ordinator Martin Kiernan and Donegal Schoolboys League, in particular Tony McNamee, the SFAI want to thank all 10 teams that competed across the three days.
We would also like to thank all those who showed their support and made donations on the gate to Donegal Down Syndrome – a total of 1,000 was raised for the charity organisation.
On the pitch the action began with Bonagee United taking on Keadue Rovers, and after no goals in normal time or extra time, it was left to penalties, and Keadue held their nerve to secure the cup.
Saturday morning saw Carrick Rovers and Carndonagh FC take to the field for the U12 competition, and those who travelled for the game were treated to a real feast of football.
Mark McLaughlin was in inspired form in the opening half for Carndonagh, netting a brace, and although Shane Boylan hit back in the second half, the young Carndonagh players held out to lift the Francis Porter Cup.
It was then onto Leckview Park where Letterkenny Rovers faced Carrick Rovers in the U16 competition. In what was a physical game at times, both teams showed why they had reached the final with some good football.
James Lenty-Gallagher scored the opener for Letterkenny, and Toby Hudson added a second with a low shot that nestled in the bottom corner.
Sunday saw both games taking place in the superb Ballyare facility, and in the opening U13 final we were treated to a very good tie between Illistrin FC and Carndonagh.
Having already lifted the U12 cup on Saturday, Carndonagh had eyes on the double, but when Oisin Harkin scored first for Illistrin it looked unlikely.
That was until Cormac McLaughlin forced the ball in under the crossbar via a deflection to make it 1-1 – and another followed shortly after that from the penalty spot – this time Brendan McLaughlin scoring.
In the final game Lagan Harps and Cavan Shamrocks resumed their rivalry following the U13 final last year – this time in the U14 showpiece event – and Cavan Shamrocks again came out on top again, winning 3-0.
Check out highlights from all the finals on Facebook via the links below….
U12 ow.ly/TlK530mLaQ8
U13 ow.ly/P8iX30mLaP5
U14 ow.ly/yk8I30mLaAp
U15 ow.ly/q3Wu30mLaSL
U16 ow.ly/iyoN30mLaPO
