Avonmore take title
Draw against Ashford clinches the Youth League crown
ASHFORD ROVERS AVONMORE FC 1 1
AVONMORE secured another Youth league title last weekend after Jack Manley bagged a late equaliser against Ashford Rovers in Ballinalea Park.
Manley is in fine form at the moment and helped Avondale to victory the following morning when he netted twice against Coolkenno in their GAA league encounter.
We caught up with Avonmore manager Ryan Cahill who, incidentally, supplied Manley with both balls for his goals on Sunday morning.
Not all heroes wear capes. We presume Ryan Cahill doesn’t wear one but he is a bit of a hero.
His managerial CV is already hugely impressive and he’s only 23.
On Saturday, he added another league title to his list of his accomplishments and it has only reiterated to him how much he loves standing in the dugout as well as out on the pitch.
“I get that a lot actually, about being a young manager.
“This is actually my third year doing it! It came about three years ago when myself and my friend (who is not here now, he has moved to Canada) had been talking about it and wanting to do it, we saw a post on the Avonmore (Facebook) page that they were looking for managers and we said why not and honestly I’m so happy we did because I love it, I enjoy it as much as playing!”
The John Tobin Youth League title was achieved with a 1-1 draw away to Ashford Rovers which signalled the end of Avonmore’s 100% record in the league.
It was a very small blotch on Cahill’s notebook who will hope to console himself with two more trophies.
“To be honest, the plan every year is trophies. It is the main reason I do it and love doing it. I’m tremendously proud of the lads they are a great bunch and the reason it’s so great is because the age gap is so close - the craic is always deadly.
“I am a little disappointed (not to beat Ashford) but I have to hand it to Ashford - they were brilliant yesterday but we got the cup so I’ll get over it quickly!
“Three trophies is the dream. We won the treble last year so it would be great to do it again!”
Such phenomenal success does not come easy so what is it that sets Avonmore apart from the rest?
And how does Cahill extract it from them?
“Hard work and determination to win!
“By making them want to play - having a good team spirit is essential”.
For some of this squad, they will have to enter the world of adult football in 2018/19. Cahill is a star for Newtown United, so has he tried to talk up the Matt Kelly Memorial Grounds to any of his young stars?
“Cheeky question. That topic has never even entered my head”.