Our u17A team finished off their league campaign in Celtic Park Boyle a couple of weeks back and going into the final round of games we were joint top of the table, with 2 other teams with only goal difference separating us, meaning each goal was going to be crucial in deciding the faith of the 23/24 ‘Ivor Parkes Painters & Decorators U17 A League’ trophy.

And on the night we gave ourselves the best possible chance of retaining the league. United got off to the best possible start with Ronan Kiely continuing his great run of form by opening the scoring on 4 minutes. MOTM & hattrick hero Cillian O’Neill doubled our advantage a minute later however despite the early signs we were not going to have it all our own way that night and the Boyle lads upped their game throwing all they had at us, pulling one back in the 49th minute, however with the concession of that goal came the realisation that if we were going to have any chance of winning 2-in-a-row we were going to have to up our game, and it was one of the youngest lads on the pitch Ethan Burns who stepped up, his excellent finish with 30 minutes remaining was the incentive we needed to ‘‘go for it’’ and that we did, with 3 of our more experienced lads all stepping up in the dying stages to ensure we gave ourselves every possible chance of retaining the title with Cian Nicholson, Cillian O’Neill and Paul McAteer all getting on the score sheet to leave it 7:1 on the night.

That win left us 3 points clear at the top of the table with a very respectable goal difference however the two other title contenders were yet to face-off in the only other outstanding fixture meaning it was mathematically possible for either Ballisodare or St Johns to lift the title and we’d have to wait on the outcome of that fixture to learn the destination of the 23/24 title.

Unfortunately, that game had to be rescheduled due to a bereavement in the Ballisodare camp (everyone at Merville United would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Robert & Cian Kennedy on the passing of their brother and uncle Frank, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam!)

Youngs Quarry was the venue for that rescheduled game tonight with St John’s winning by 5 goals to 1, that result ensured the league honors came to the west side of town for the second year in a row. Commiserations to runners up St Johns and also Ballisodare and thanks for making it a great and ber competitive season, roll on next year!

Congrats to every one of the 20 lads in the squad who each played their part in making it another memorable season, having looked out of the title race a few months back the lads finished strongly going unbeaten in their last 6 games, a remarkable group of young men who represented our club in the best possible manner week in week out, we are all so proud of you and delighted that all your hard work, perseverance and resilience has paid off yet again!

Congrats lads!

2023/24 Winning Squad:

Ethan Burns, Conor Davey, Adam Feeney, Dylan Fox, Daniel Gillen, Jack Henry (C), Ross Hynes, Cathal Kelly, Sean Kelly, Ronan Kiely, Benjiman Lynch, Lee McGoldrick, Paul McAteer, Cian Nicholson, Cillian O’Neill, Callum Peacock, Alan Puddans, Aaron Scanlon, Ryan Scully, Jerry Tanko and Jamesie Boy Gilmartin