A BATTLING West Cork Academy performance wasn’t enough to prevent a 4-2 defeat to Inishowen in the SFAI U15 Schoolboys National Trophy final in Kilkenny last Sunday.

Inishowen capitalised on an early defensive mix-up to move 1-0 ahead inside two minutes.

Despite West Cork enjoying lengthy periods of possession, Inishowen remained disciplined and dangerous on the counter attack. Adding two further goals, following swift breakaways, Inishowen were in complete control prior to being awarded a penalty late in the opening half.

Blake Hegarty produced a superb save however and handed West Cork a lifeline. A much-improved West Cork second half display was rewarded when Donnacha Collins found the net to spark a mini-revival. The comeback looked on once Danny Carroll added a second West Cork goal.

3-2 ahead, Inishowen were struggling to withstand their opponents’ constant attacks.

Alas, another West Cork defensive lapse proved costly and Inishowen broke quickly to net a fourth and decisive goal.

‘While the result was disappointing, we showed significant character to respond after such a difficult opening period,’ West Cork Academy U15 schoolboys coach David Hall told The Southern Star.

‘We continued to battle right up until the final whistle against a determined and well-organised Inishowen side.’

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Drinagh Rangers Diamonds needed extra-time to see off Clonakilty AFC Wanderers following a cracking U12 Schoolboys Challenge Cup quarter-final at Canon Crowley Park.

Level 3-3 at the end of normal time, the Diamonds netted three additional goals to progress to the semi-finals. Charlie Beamish scored a hat-trick with Sean Hamilton (two) and Sean O’Mahony also getting on Drinagh’s scoresheet.

Clonakilty’s goals were scored by Hugh McAuley, Noah Leahy and Ben Forristal.

Castlelack Celtic and Skibbereen Dynamos have gotten their U12 Schoolboys Premier League campaigns off to winning starts.

Celtic travelled to Ballyvackey and overcame Clonakilty AFC Rovers 2-1 thanks to Jack Crowley and Simon Crewe goals. Iarlaith Rohan replied for the home team.

In the same division, James McDonagh (two) and Charlie Leung strikes earned Skibbereen Dynamos all three points following a 3-1 victory away to Dunmanway Town. Declan Hurley was on target for Town.

The U12 Schoolboys Championship’s opening fixture saw Lucas Forde (two), Johnny Russell and Shay Leahy goals cement Bay Rovers’ 4-2 triumph away to Beara United. Kyryl Pereviedientsev netted both of the Castletownbere club’s goals.

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U13 Schoolboys Premier League leaders Clonakilty AFC City defeated Castlelack Athletic 6-1 thanks to a Sean Kennedy hat-trick. Séimí Forristal (two) and Max O’Keefe also scored with Jack O’Callaghan replying for Celtic.

In the same division, Lyre Rovers edged Ardfield 4-3 thanks to Tiernan O’Regan and Sonny Crowley each finding the net twice. Miguel De Menezes Almeida (two) and Leonardo Pezza were on target for Lyre.

Skibbereen Celtic lead the way atop the U13 Schoolboys Championship. Eryk Skrzypiec, Lucas Cahalane and Aaron Donohue netted in Skibb’s 3-1 victory away to Bay Rovers. Daniel Sheehan was Bay’s lone scorer.  

Elsewhere in the U13 Schoolboys Championship, Borys Cytacki (two) and Euan Buttimer strikes cemented Riverside Athletic’s first win of the season, 3-1 at home to Drinagh Rangers Diamonds. Diarmuid Sutton scored for the visitors.

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Ardfield recorded their first U15 Schoolboys Premier League win of the season at home to Riverside Athletic at the Showgrounds.  

Daniel McCarthy scored for Athletic but Johnny O’Loghlin (two), Michael O’Shea, Dylan Baker and Dumebi Ogwudiegwu strikes earned Ardfield a 6-1 victory.