Westport United took on Iorras Aontaithe in the Mayo Under 16 Cup on the bank holiday Monday with the place of a semi-final at stake. The tie pitted the best Premier Division side against the best First Division side, but there is a difference between theory and practice when it comes to the beautiful game. United got off to the best possible start when Adam Dennany's corner was bundled over the line by Ruairí Keating after a mere 42 seconds.
Iorras responded by smashing long balls over the United defence and they had a penalty appeal turned down, but soon the momentum was back with Westport.
They made it 2-0 with a sweeping move that was finished off by Ruairí Keating, and they had further chances from James O'Donnell and Adam Dennany before going 3-0 up.
The third goal resulted after Killian Browne threw the ball in on the right-hand side to James O'Donnell who went on a mazy dribble before releasing Paul McDonnell, whose shot cannoned off inside the post.
United had further chances in the half, the best falling to Alan Carroll whose shot was brilliantly tipped against the crossbar, while Paul McDonnell had a header that went over and Brian Mullen was threatening from corners.
Iorras had a free that went over the crossbar but other than that United breezed through the first half comfortably.
They came out in the second half looking very comfortable too and Paul McDonnell made the game safe at 4-0, even if the Iorras 'keeper went unpunished for handling the ball outside the penalty box.

Perseverance
Goal number five was about perseverance. James Gibbons slipped and recovered to set up Paul McDonnell who also slipped but recovered to finish off his hat trick.
The Westport boys fell asleep and allowed Iorras to nick a goal back, but they controlled the game and had further chances to extend their lead when Ciarán McFadden and Alan Carroll shot just over.
Paddy Glavey was unlucky not to get on the end of a driven cross while Adam McDonnell turned on a sixpence to shoot agonisingly over the top.
Iorras had a goal disallowed near the end when Conor O'Malley was unfairly challenged after a free kick beat the wall, but United comfortably got the job done without being seriously stretched.
They now join Claremorris, Castlebar Celtic B and Kiltimagh/Knock United in the semi-final.
There is a lot of work to be done before United can even start thinking about a date in Milebush in the final, but winning habits breed confidence.
Having said that, the feet must firmly be on the ground.

 Westport United 5
 Iorras Aontaithe 1

Westport United: Conor O'Malley, Killian Browne, Brian Mullen, Pádraig O'Malley, Niall Tierney, Alan Carroll, Alan Rocliffe, James O'Donnell (captain), Adam Dennany, Paul McDonnell, Ruairí Keating.
Subs used: James Gibbons, Darragh Connolly, Adam McDonnell, Ciarán McFadden, Paddy Glavey.