Soccer
Mayo International Cup - Day 3
By Nigel Naughton
26, Aug 2013 - 08:23

The Republic of Ireland have been crowned Mayo International Cup Champions, after a hard fought 2-0 victory over Bradford and MD Schools at Milebush Park.

The Irish had earlier managed to gain they point they needed to make sure of a place in the final, with a 1-1 draw with Bradford, meaning the finalists met twice in a row, with the fresher Irish side, utilising their bigger squad, emerging victorious in the all important final.

In the maiden game of the day, Millwall knew that to have a chance of reaching the final, they needed to defeat Glentoran by three goals or more. They did just that, running out comfortable winner on a scoreline of 4-0. Noel Leighton bagged a brace, with Aron Pollock, and Millwalls star performer, Sam Stewart rounding off the victory. Despite not achieving the results they would have hoped, Glentoran can be pleased with some of their performances, displaying glimpses and passages of very neat football, which is commendable, yet their lack of power and strength proved to be their downfall.

Next up was the first of the eventual double headers between Bradford and the Republic of Ireland. The English side came out of the traps very quick, and saw themselves go a goal up within 60 seconds, with Alex Henney towering above everyone to power home a Reece Webb-Foster delivery. This spurred the Irish into action however, and after 10 minutes they drew level. Jordan Connell went on a mazy dribble down the left, before teeing up Sam Warde, with the Limerick man drilling home from the edge of the area. The rest of the encounter was a largely quiet affair, with both sides showing signs if the fatigue and tiredness which existed. Both sides however, were content with a point a piece, with the knowledge that they would face off again in the final.

Unlike the previous encounter, this time it was Irelands turn to get off to the dream start, when right winger Adam Horgan's jinking run was matched by his cool finish past the despairing Chandler Hallwood in the Bradford goal. It was the perfect start, with the Irish side, which contained six hanges from the previous, compared to Bradford's three, looked much fresher and sharper in open play, yet struggled to break down a determind Bradford side. Their profilgacy in the final third almost cost them, as Bradford were awarded a penalty on the stroke of half time. However, their blushes were spared, as Caoimhin Kelleher in the Irish goal, on of the tournaments star performers, got down low to save Reece Webb-Fosters spot kick. Like the first half, the second half saw little in terms of goalmouth action, yet both sides produced some fantastic passages of play, all done at an exceedingly high tempo. Ireland did manage to kill the game off with 8 minutes remaining. They broke quick and produced a swift counter attack after defending a corner kick, with Adam Horgan and David Hannon linking up before Sam Warde rifled home from close range for his second in two games, and in turn, securing the Mayo International Cup for his side.

The final day epitomised what the whole tournament had produced, with exciting, high tempo football played at a huge standard. Huge praise and congratulations must go to the organising committee of the tournament; Gerry Gallagher, Paul Byrne, Pat Quigley, Joe Butler, Tom Jennings and Ciara McDonnell, whilst the referees and officials of all host venues also deserve plaudits for what was a hugely enjoyable and successful tournament for all involved.