FAI ETB Centres nationwide are locked in Bobby Smith Cup action as the competition hears up.

First up there was a tight game in John Hyland Park with Clondalkin seeing off local rivals Cabra 5-3.

Clondalkin came out of the blocks with real intent and raced into a 4-1 first-half lead. Cabra had it all to do when reduced to 10 men in the opening period. Clondalkin’s goals coming from Jamie Lee (2), Regan Lennon and Hamzat Salam while Shelbourne striker Francis Campbell got the opener for the home side.

A rejuvenated Cabra emerged for the second half with goals from Cabra’s Matthew Butler and Francis Campbell reducing the deficit to a solitary goal. There were nervous moments for Clondalkin with Cabra disputing a goal which was disallowed.

As Cabra pushed for an equaliser, Clondalkin broke with Pedro Lennon sealing the game with a great strike from 30 yards Cabra keeper Josh Lynam couldn’t keep out.

On March 3rd, Limerick ETB (pictured) kept their winning run going with an impressive 6-2 win over Waterford ETB at the University of Limerick. The hosts opened the scoring early on when Conor Keane finished a great through ball from Ethan Fitzgerald.

Waterford equalised in the 35th minute courtesy of a towering header from Kian Carey, which was expertly steered into the top corner of Luke Woodrow’s goal.

Luckily for Limerick, a speculative ball over the top gave Jack Ryan the chance to chip the Waterford keeper to give his side the lead just before the half-time break.

Both teams started the second-half brightly with Conor Keane adding his second goal of the game from the penalty spot to double the Shannonsider’s advantage.

Keane soon completed his hat-trick with a composed finish inside the area to put Limerick 4-1 ahead.

Waterford kept battling and were rewarded with a goal following good work down the right-hand side and Kian Carey duley appling the finish to bring his tally to two.

Jack Ryan then added two quick fire goals to clinch his hat-trick and seal the tie for the home side.

Also on March 3rd, Waterford took a commanding victory over Mayo with the game finishing 8-3.

Waterford started the brighter of the sides but failed to convert their early chances. Mayo began to find their feet and went closest to an opener when forcing Waterford goalkeeper Daniel Purcell into a fantastic save, pushing the ball around the post and out for a corner-kick.

Waterford regained the initiative and scored minutes later through a swift counter-attack with Dylan Butler finishing off a fine move.

The floodgates opened in the second-half with Waterford racing into a 7-0 lead with two goals from Butler and Brazil and one each for Keogh, Carey, and Sheridan.

Mayo continued to battle and managed to pull three goals back but it was too little, too late with Waterford emerging the victors.

The Booby Smith Cup is held yearly involving the nine FAI football academies nationwide. Find out more about the ETB programmes here.