U18 / Youths

The U18s Team has a great win in the Roscommon League Final against Kilkerrin United at the weekend. With both sides at full strength it lived up to the promise of a close game. Kilkerrin playing with a strong wind in the first half started brightly and looked to have the edge in the early exchanges, but Ballinasloe fought their way back into the game trading chances at either end. The game was scoreless until the 1^st minute of the second half when Eoin Bergin fired home after a great build up. Kilkerrin came back at Ballinasloe and created some good chances, but their finishing was wayward. The game was killed off when Liam Lynch coolly slotted Ballinasloes 2^nd after a quick break. Ballinasloe played well throughout the team especially Robbie Brooks and Simon Leonard and deserved the win. A great achievement considering that last year Ballinasloe did not enter a team at this age group.

Congratulation to the Ballinasloe Youth team who completed the league and cup double after an emphatic win against Monksland in the cup final. Ballinasloe scored in the first minute through a superb volley from Shane Duffy and didnt look back. A hat-trick from Liam Lynch and other goals from Eoin Bergin, Locan Mitchell, Nigel Riddle and Simon Leonard saw them very comfortable 8-1 winners. It was an enjoyable game, with both sides playing passing football, but Ballinasloe were just far to good for Monklands in every position. Best for Ballinasloe were Liam Lynch, Robbie Brooks and Simon Leonard. This was a brilliant end to their season and a credit to the management team of Jason Campbell and Enda Concannon, who were helped out by Peter Carroll and Sam Lynch.

Congratulations to the U18s soccer team who beat Kilkerrin United in the semi-final of the cup at the weekend. Ballinasloe played against a strong breeze in the first half and while they had chances, the failed to score. In the second half Ballinasloe were the better team taking the lead after Shane Duffey met a cross from the left wing to fire home the 1^st first goal. Ballinasloe created more chances but couldnt kill off a determined Kilkerrin side. In the 86^th minutes disaster seemingly struck for Ballinasloe when a long ball into their box lead to confusion and Kilkerrin scored a scrambled goal from only yards out. But Ballinasloe are a classy side and even though there was only minutes remaining they resisted the temptation of playing long balls, instead they stuck to their passing game. This paid off in the 88 minute when after a number of swift passes the ball came to the feet of Liam Lynch who coolly slotted home the winner. Best for next Ballinasloe were Patrick Kelly, Marcus ONeil and Lorcan Mitchell. Ballinasloe are now going for the league and cup double when they face Monksland United Saturday in the Cup Final in Taughmaconnell at 2pm.