Connacht FA hosts successful interpro tournament in Sligo
THE Connacht Football Association successfully hosted last weekend’s FAI Interprovincial Tournament – games took place at three Sligo venues, The Showgrounds, MacSharry Park (astroturf pitch) and Ballisodare United’s astroturf pitch.
Munster took the honours – a 1-0 defeat of Leinster at The Showgrounds (grass pitch) on Sunday afternoon last secured silverware and the ticket to next season’s UEFA Regions Cup as the FAI representatives.
Connacht lost their opening game to Leinster – it finished 3-1 to the eastern province at MacSharry Park last Friday night. Aidan Coyle (Athenry FC) scored Connacht’s goal from a free-kick.
The next day, Saturday, Connacht took on Munster at Ballisodare United’s astroturf pitch and lost 3-1, with Castlebar Celtic’s Jason Hunt on target for Connacht in the first-half.
The western province completed their schedule with a fixture against Ulster at MacSharry Park last Sunday – Connacht’s first win in three games was a 1-0 victory thanks to a Jason Hunt goal.
The Connacht panel featured three players from the Sligo-Leitrim and District Soccer League – Leo Doherty (Strand Celtic), Donagh Crowne (MCR FC) and Bryan Lynch (Calry Bohs).
The 20-man squad included players from 10 clubs, with Sligo-Leitrim, Mayo and Galway represented.
Jako Ireland, which is based in Sligo, supplied the Connacht FA squad with kit and playing gear for the tournament. Because of last weekend’s FAI Interprovincial Tournament taking place in Sligo, there were no games scheduled in the Sligo-Leitrim and District Soccer League.
Connacht FA amateur provincial squad: Gary Cunningham, Darren Browne, Cillian McGlade (Westport United); Ben Edeh, Cillian Redmond (Ballyheane FC); Bryan Lynch (Calry Bohs); Shane O’Rourke, Matthew Barrett, Mick Lee (Salthill Devon); Nathan Ward (Galway Hibernians); Aidan Coyne, Cole Connolly, Gary O’Connell (Athenry FC); Jamie Cawley, Andrew Shally (Ballina Town); Jason Hunt, Stefan Hester, Oran Groarke (Castlebar Celtic); Donagh Crowne (MCR FC); Leo Doherty (Strand Celtic)
LOCAL INTEREST: The three players from the Sligo-Leitrim and District Soccer League who were part of the Connacht Football Association panel for last weekend’s interprovincial tournament. Leo Doherty (Strand Celtic), Donagh Crowne (MCR FC) and Bryan Lynch (Calry Bohs). *Aughanagh Celtic are Premier League champions.