Mervue Utd's Youth team captured a third Connacht Youth Cup in a row for the club after an excellent first half display in Castlebar on Saturday afternoon saw them score four times in the opening 35 minutes for a 4-1 win over Castlebar Celtic in Milebush.

Justin Neary and Colin Nolan's side were quickly on top in this game in the opening period and were in front after just 21 minutes as they scored four times in a dominant 14 minute spell to put the result beyond doubt before the interval.

Under 17 player Padraic Cunningham headed home that opening score after the excellent Aaron McDonagh picked him out at the back post for an early lead. McDonagh was tormenting the Castlebar back four and he set up goal two and three shortly after that opening score.

Another raid down the left flank from the winger saw his dangerous ball into the box only cleared as far as midfielder Richard Fahy and he fired the ball beyond the reach of home keeper Paul Daly for 2-0. Castlebar hadn't even time to react to the concession of that goal when Fahy doubled his tally with a finish at the near post from another McDonagh cross on the half hour mark.

It was 4-0 on 35 minutes after Ryan Manning was fouled ten yards outside the box, and fresh from his goal against Waterford Utd in the Airtricity League the night before, he picked himself up to fire home the fourth from the resultant free-kick.

The local side did reduced the margin back to 4-1 just after the break when Jordan Lofus got on the end of a ball from Colm Nevin to slid the ball past James Healy but they never really looked like they were going to overturn Mervue's lead.

After the game the Connacht FA's John Cleary presented the Connacht Youth Cup to Mervue captain and goalkeeper James Healy as the club retained the cup for an impressive third year in a row. It has been a great week for keeper Healy as he also won the All Ireland Under 21 football title with the Galway footballers the previous weekend week.

Mervue United: James Healy, Eric Neary, John Rattigan, Padraig Keane, Paul Healy; Luke Tully (Dillon Murphy 70), Moise Assogba, Richard Fahy, Aaron McDonagh; Ryan Manning, Padraic Cunningham.

Castlebar Celtic: Paul Daly; Kenneth McDermott (Jason Hunt 46), Mark Howley, Stephen Walsh, Jamie Ivers; Johnny Walsh, Colm Nevin, Garry Walsh; Liam Flatley, Gareth Dunne, Jordan Loftus.

Referee: Damien MacGraith (Mayo)