Mayo Young Sports Stars: Under 13 Schoolboys make history

The Mayo Under 13 Schoolboys secured SFAI Inter-League glory last year, winning the Under 13 title against neighbours Galway by one goal to nil in the final, played in Kilkenny.

After narrowly losing out on the Under 12 Inter-League Shield title in 2022, Mayo felt they had unfinished business when the Under 13 campaign rolled around – and they certainly made the country sit up and take notice with their results.

The semi-final against Cork allowed for revenge as it was the Rebels who beat them in the Under 12 final, and the boys executed their game plan to perfection in the semi-final, going ahead in the first half and repelling waves of Cork attacks in the second with superb defending.

The final was also a close affair, with the only goal of the game arriving in the 10th minute, and when the Liam Miller Cup was presented to after the game, it sparked enormous celebrations.

It was the first time that a Mayo boys team had won the Under 13 SFAI Inter-League title, and they did so without conceding a goal during the campaign – a stunning achievement.

They have been chosen as the Male Team of the Year in The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards 2023.

Tickets for the gala awards ceremony in Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar, on Friday, March 8, are on sale now. For details, contact Aiden Henry on (087) 6582141 or aiden.henry@con-telegraph.ie.