9.2.24

Sligo Leitrim U15 Boys League Cup Final - BUFC U15 Boys 4 - 1 Ballymote Celtic.

After a series of successful friendlies and intense training sessions 18 players including 6 from u14s lined out for BUFC, Peter Keirns unfortunately out with a hamstring injury but the talented Philip MC Manus returning after a thumb injury forced him out of u14 conn cup duty a week earlier.

Having lost to Ballymote in the league, tensions were high and Ballymote started strongly forcing 3 corners in the first 10 mins of the game, Eoin Toolan and Jack Galvin worked very well to physically disrupt Ballymotes wide attack while Cian McMunn at CB was ever sharp and committed to intercept and clear danger.

It took Ballisodare a while to to settle the nerves and on 25 mins a substitution pushing Adam Finn to the left wing gave BUFC more of an attacking threat.

Ballymote were starting to struggle to contain the Ballisodare attack with Jayden Gilgans speed being the weapon of choice to get behind defensive lines and hit the crossbar on his best attempt.

A quickly taken free kick by Daniel Toolan, dropped perfectly behind the Ballymote 18 yard defensive line and Jaydens' first touch was perfect to steer the ball into the corner for the first goal of the game.

BUFC were unlucky to not get a similar break after Alfie Lavelle worked hard to knock the ball between to two Ballymote center backs but Jayden couldn't get the ball out of his feet to take the shot and the score remained 1 nil at half time. 

Ballymote came strong out of the blocks but the hard work of Ryan Wheelan and the outstanding Daniel Connolly kept their midfield to minimal possession.

The Jayden Gilgan threat again paid off 10 mins into the second half when his run from deep seen him 1 on 1 with the keeper and finished to the bottom corner. 2 nil Ballisodare.

A foul just outside the BUFC 18 yard box gave the Ballymote lads a rare chance at Goal for the free kick and Dara Flannery duly took the chance for Ballymote. 2 - 1.

BUFC got a bit nervous and again gave away a soft free in shooting range and this time Ballymote hit the cross bar, nervous times for BUFC.

2 changes to personnel gave BUFC the edge and after excellent link up play between Leon Egan, Daniel Connolly and Jackub Jaroszek, Jayden was in again for his hattrick.

Ballymote struggled but kept the pressure on but BUFC defence was outstanding with the centers of Daniel Toolan and Cian McMunn again commanding the lines, with 6 minutes to go Jayden found himself on the end of a Ryan Wheelan through ball to see his fourth hit the net, 4 - 1 BUFC. 

As important as the players starting and finishing this match are players Bartosz Wodz, Euan Finnegan, Eoghan OReilly an Sean Kelly, who have contributed to and played a part in our league campaign, cup semi final, pre final challenge matches and every single training session in between.

70 minutes only gives a small glimpse of all the work the entire squad has put in to be worthy Cup Champions.

Brilliant achievement for this team and the Club... 2024 League Winners.