In what was a truly sensational outcome, the Willow Park 2007 side, having finished third in the Foyle Cup in Derry recently, won the Galway Cup last weekend.
The team took the 2007 title with a 3-0 victory over the Clare and District Schoolboy League in the final on Saturday.
It was a stunning performance out west by the boys from Willow as they saw off the challenges of three separate league teams, Clare, Wicklow and Dundalk, to seal the title.
The adventure began in the group stage on Wednesday, with a 3-1 win over the Dundalk Emerging Talent programme. Despite a sluggish enough first half Willow led 2-0 after just 14 minutes through goals from Tadhg Heavin and Chris Malone. Before the break Dundalk got right back into it but Cathal Ferry secured the victory with a third for Willow.
Willow then drew 1-1 with Maree Oranmore on Thursday. Having gone behind, Tadhg Heavin’s goal was enough to secure a share of the points.
It all came down to the final group game on Friday morning. Jack Larkin put Willow in front but Wicklow District League equalised midway through the half. However, Willow’s group haul of five points was enough to top the group, when Maree Oranmore defeated Dundalk in the other final group game.
On to the semi final on Friday evening against host team Salthill Devon, who had finished second in the other 2007 group. Willow really stepped up the performance levels in the knockout stages, and a 3-0 win, with goals from Jack Curry, Ben Martin and Tadhg Heavin, secured a final spot.
That final on Saturday saw another confident display from this promising team, under the managership of Conor Frawley, Darragh Shine and Conor Peck, and goals by Tadhg Heavin (2 ) and Tryrese Quinn secured the title.
And the day was topped off when Tadhg Heavin was crowned ‘Player of the Tournament’. Well done to all involved!
