SHAUN Hough believes his West Cork Academy squad can deliver a positive performance in Sunday’s SFAI National Inter-League U14 Schoolboys Trophy quarter-final against Mayo.

The West Cork Academy U14 Schoolboys have been drawn away to Mayo in the last eight of this season’s SFAI National Trophy.

A second consecutive SFAI tie against Connacht opposition comes hot on the heels of West Cork’s 5-3 loss at home to Sligo Leitrim a fortnight ago.

Despite exiting the National U14 Schoolboys Shield competition that afternoon, West Cork has been given a second chance of capturing silverware with automatic entry into the National U14 Schoolboys Trophy.

‘We are excited to have another opportunity to progress in an SFAI Inter-League competition,’ West Cork Academy U14 Schoolboys coach Shaun Hough told The Southern Star.

‘The lads are looking forward to taking on Mayo after their narrow defeat to Sligo Leitrim.

‘We learnt some very valuable lessons, tough lessons, in that game. Firstly, our discipline off the ball and, secondly, when we get a chance, we need to be much more clinical in front of goal, especially at this level. Had we been more clinical the last day out against Sligo Leitrim, we could have put that preliminary quarter-final to bed.

‘That said, we, the coaches, have been driving home all the positives taken from that performance. The lads have taken everything we have said on board and responded very well in training.’

Hough’s side secured a third placed Group A finish and preliminary SFAI National Shield quarter-final berth at home to Sligo Leitrim.

Drinagh Rangers’ Canon Crowley Park was the venue for a high-scoring encounter. Bram Bagle and Matthew Kenneally efforts handed the visitors a merited 2-0 lead.

Yet, West Cork recovered from a saved Kingsley Osagie Crosby penalty to score three times without reply. Ryan Healy Crowley, Danny Carroll and Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller (penalty) goals edged West Cork 3-2 ahead early in the second half.

Unfortunately, missed opportunities proved costly for the home side. An inability to kill off their opponents allowed Sligo Leitrim to regain a foothold and the Connacht side finished the tie strongly. Bram Bagle made it 3-3 and the visitors added two late goals, via James Ettary and Matthew Kenneally, to win 5-3.

Despite the loss, there was much to admire in the West Cork Academy’s performance.

Both Eli Zabala and Oliver Kiely impressed during their respective stints in goal. A back four of Aodhan O’Mahony, Conor Collins, Danny Carroll and Dylan O’Brien all had their moments with Carroll getting his name on the scoresheet.

The keys to defeating Mayo could rest on West Cork’s ability to defend set pieces and convert whatever chances come their way.

With that in mind, Ed Hough and Finbarr O’Mahony’s presence in the centre of the park coupled with Ryan Healy Crowley, Donagh Griffin, Rory Hurley and Kingsley Osagie Crosby’s shooting abilities will be crucial to West Cork’s chances.

There are plenty of options off the bench too but West Cork know that they will need to be at their best to make it through to the semi-finals.  

As for West Cork’s opponents, Mayo finished third in Group D of the SFAI National U14 Schoolboys Inter-League group. Defeats to Mayo Reds and Roscommon District preceded a morale-boosting 2-2 draw and 6-5 penalty shootout win at home to Longford.

‘West Cork will be approaching our game away to Mayo with a positive mindset,’ Hough added.

‘Everyone is eager to try and deliver a disciplined performance. I believe that if we can do that, we will get the result we are looking for. If we can do that, the boys will deserve to progress on to the next round.’

West Cork Academy U14 Schoolboys: Eli Zabala, Aodhan O’Mahony, Conor Collins, Danny Carroll, Dylan O’Brien, Ed Hough, Donagh Griffin, Finbarr O’Mahony, Kingsley Osagie Crosby, Ryan Crowley Healy, Rory Hurley, Patrick Hennigan, Charlie Daly, Tristan Hayes, Daniel O’Sullivan, Ben Machie, Rocco O’Reilly Bermueller, Caden Walsh, Jamie O’Connor, Oliver Kiely, Sam Kingston, Jack Horgan.