Ballisodare host Atlantic Cup
Ballisodare welcomed eight u15 boys teams from around Ireland and Northern Ireland to Sligo for the Atlantic Cup on Saturday.
Sligo sides Ballisodare United and Merville United were joined by Ballinamallard United (Fermanagh), Ballina Town (Mayo), Bonagee United (Donegal), Finn Harps Academy (Donegal), Mervue United (Galway) and Palmerstown FC (Dublin) in the one day tournament which was once again sponsored by Apex Controls.
The tournament format saw two groups each of four teams. The top two in each group advancing into the Atlantic Cup semi finals and the bottom two in each group going into the Plate semi finals.
Group A saw Ballina Town, Finn Harps Academy, Merville United and Palmerstown FC pitted against one another.
Finn Harps, Merville and DDSL side Palmerstown looked strong from the get go and all had sights on topping the group. Meanwhile Ballina Town were fielding a young side and despite playing the best football of any team present such was the standard on show that they lost all three of their group games to the bigger stronger opponents. There was very little to choose from between the other three teams. Merville and Palmerstown played out a hard fought 0-0 draw while Merville and Finn Harps had an entertaining match with some fine goals which ended 4-2 to the Sligo town club. A key fixture in this group was Palmerstown versus Finn Harps. With little to choose between the sides a converted penalty gave Palmerstown a 1-0 win and this all meant Merville and Palmerstown would finish first and second in the group respectively, both on 7 points but Merville with a better goal difference. Finn Harps had to settle for third spot and a place in the Plate alongside Ballina who finished bottom of this extremely tough group.
In Group B home side Ballisodare United were joined by Ballinamallard United, Bonagee United and Galway champions Mervue United. Unsurprisingly, Mervue United demonstrated why they’re one of the biggest clubs in Connacht and went on to beat Bonagee and Ballisodare with some fine football but Mervue somewhat crucially let a 2-0 lead slip against Ballinamallard and it finished 2-2 as the ‘Mallards snatched a draw.
Ballisodare gave all teams a good test, losing 3-1 to Ballinamallard and 2-0 to Mervue. Bonagee were missing a couple of their players lost 2-0 on against both Mervue and Ballinamallard. Bonagee and Ballisodare played out a hard fought 1-1 draw and both went to join Finn Harps Academy and Ballina Town in the Plate semi finals. The depth of talent in the Ballinamallard and Mervue sides told, both finishing on 7 points with the same goal difference. Ballinamallard had scored more goals and grabbed 1st place in Group B while Mervue settled for 2nd.
During the break between the group and knockout stages the Ballisodare United Academy (u10s) played an exhibition match as the sun came out in the North West. The Happy Eater served fast food and ice creams to the crowds as they got ready for the knockout stages. The Plate semis saw Ballisodare United beating Ballina Town in a thrilling game and a 4-3 score line, Ballina once again playing some great football but Ballisodare just more clinical.
In the other Plate semi it was somewhat of a local derby as Bonagee from outside Letterkenny faced Ballybofey’s Finn Harps. Harps struck once and it was enough, winning 1-0 and advancing to the Plate final to meet reigning Plate holders Ballisodare United.
Bonagee beat Ballina in the 3/4 place playoff in the Plate competition.
The Plate final Finn Harps Academy producing a fine performance. Harps took an early 1-0 lead while brilliantly shutting down Ballisodare’s attacking threats. The Ballybofey side struck twice more to win the game 3-0 and become worthy winners of the Plate.
In the Atlantic Cup semi-finals Mervue United played Merville United while Palmerstown were matched up against Ballinamallard United.
Merville had many of the players who were in the Sligo Leitrim team that finished runners up in the Kennedy Cup and they gave as good as they got against Mervue who themselves had nine in the Galway Kennedy Cup team. Merville took a deserved 2-0 lead before Mervue got a lifeline after half time from a well placed header. The Sligo town side asserted themselves again and went 3-1 up. Yet again, Mervue striker O’Malley headed in for his second goal and it left the score line 3-2 to Merville with 8 minutes left. This all action fast paced game boiled over as tempers flared and both sides were reduced to 10 men. Ultimately both sides failed to add to the score line and Merville United booked a spot in the Atlantic Cup final. In the other Cup semi final Palmerstown continued to improve and Fermanagh’s Ballinamallard ran out of steam and injuries mounted up for them. Palmerstown had yet to concede a goal as their centre back partnership of Winters and O’Neill stayed strong throughout. Palmerstown grabbed an all important goal and again stayed compact as a unit, shutting down the usually slick passing Ballinamallard side. The whistle blew, the Dublin side winning 1-0 and now joining Merville United in the Atlantic Cup final. Mervue beat Ballinamallard 3-0 as both teams juggled their squads. This was a final of two teams playing a very high standard football and there was plenty of skill on show. Having already played out a 0-0 draw in the group stages both teams looked aware to the threats and styles of play of each other. It ebbed and flowed but as both teams tired the breakthrough was looking unlikely. The Merville defensive shape nullified Palmerstown and as the Palmerstown defence stood strong as always. The game ended 0-0 and this meant the 2017 Atlantic Cup would be won on penalty kicks.
Both teams scored their first 5 penalty’s and when Merville missed their sixth it gave the Dublin side a chance to win the Cup. Impressive centre back Jacob O’Neill stepped up and buried it to send the Palmerstown lads into joyous celebrations.
O’Connor’s Bar came on-board to film all games throughout the tournament and this footage can be got by contacting Ballisodare United.
Merville gave a great account of themselves throughout the day and will have learned a lot. Palmerstown were a joy to watch. They were extremely organised, not conceding a single goal in the tournament and are certainly deserving winners of the 2017 Atlantic Cup. The Player of the Tournament was awarded to Ballina Town player Oisin Tighe who put on numerous dazzling displays throughout the team.
Ballisodare United Secretary Stephen Healy would like to thank the travelling players and coaches, fans who came out, Apex Controls for once again sponsoring the tournament, the referees and the Ballisodare United Committee and volunteers who contributed to another successful tournament.