RENMORE’S U-16 Soccer team created history last weekend when they travelled to Strandhill in Sligo to capture the club’s first ever Connacht Shield title with a 6-2 victory over Leitrim side Manor Rangers.

The opening 10 minutes were fast and frantic, but lacked clear cut goal chances as both sides showed signed of nerves. This changed in the 12th minute when Manor Rangers, with the aid of a strong breeze, carved their way through the Renmore defence.

Paddy Woulfe was upended by Renmore captain Alan Byrne in the box and referee Thomas Oates immediately signalled to the penalty spot from which Woulfe duly converted.

Both sides looked dangerous going forward but clear cut scoring opportunities were at a premium until Renmore's Eric Gannon delivered a fine flicked header in the direction of Kevin Connolly.

Manor's Alan Curran attempted to intercept but Connolly reacted quicker and nudged the ball towards goal by the time Curran attempted his tackle. With Connolly through on goal, the foul from Curran left the referee with little option but to brandish a red card to the Manor Rangers centre back.

To compound the misery for Manor Rangers, Kevin Connolly's superb free kick from the edge of the box found the top corner of the net. In the final minute of the opening half, Manor were thanking goalkeeper Clancy who made a magnificent save to deny Frank Flannery after good build-up play involving Cinan Molloy, Connolly and Gannon.

For more, read this week's Galway City Tribune.