| Great plans were
made and teams were drawn up, but on morning of the blitz we got
a real stinker of a day. WET, GALES & COLD. Coaches were in
a huddle deciding whether to go ahead or not. But we had not counted
on the enthusiasm, energy and dedication of the young Malahiders!
Before we knew it we had 55 kids in Gannon Park ready to play their
football. 8 Teams including the likes of Real Madrid and AC Milan
took the field and we commenced the first matches at 10.15am.
10 mins each way, 2 groups of 4, with 20 games
in total, there was a lot of football to get through. The 7s got
stuck in and there was little to choose between the sides. MUFC
has 4 squads in the under 7s, 2 in the DDSL and 2 in the NDSL.
Each of the squads were split, new teams were formed and they
were like old mates. The first 2 rounds were in quick succession
after which a break was needed not for the kids but for the fans
that needed a hot cup of tea. The teams adjourned to the dressing
rooms for a bit of shelter and most important a bit of chocolate
for an energy boost.
The weather was getting progressively worse
but there was no complaints from the 7s only the shivering parents,
referees and coaches who were starting to feel the artic conditions.
Back out for the last group game and then the Play Offs.
The semi final stages pitted Chelsea v Liverpool
and Arsenal v Barcelona. The former had to go to penalties with
goalies Michael Sherlin and Tom Goggins saving 2 out 3 each which
meant sudden death. Chelsea just got that vital goal to sneak
into the final. The latter semi saw Arsenal win through on a 2-0
score line, Matt Furey and Daragh Brady wining the midfield battle
against Brannon and Ryan Jones. The other half of the draw had
Juventus v AC Milan and Real v Bayern Munich. Juve with John Furlong
in defence pipped AC despite the heroics of Mikey in Goal, while
Bayern needed Penos to go through against Real, Glen Steers and
Cian Reid were on the ball for Bayern and it was great to have
Jack Butler back after breaking his leg early in the season for
Real.
On to the finals!! At this stage it was bucketing
down.
In one of the finals Chelsea v Arsenal (maybe
a portent of things to come???), The spirit of the kids on the
day was exemplified by Jack Glanville who got a whack of the ball,
lost a tooth, got fixed up by Olive and came back out all to lead
his team to victory 2-0.
The footballers could have gone on all afternoon,
indeed 10 of the guys joined Christian Doyle who was celebrating
his birthday for a further 2 hours of football in Portmarnock
Leisure Centre later in the day. Happy Birthday Christian.
Despite the inclement weather a great day was
had by all. Even the freezing parents who supported from the sidelines
got enjoyment from the sheer enthusiasm of the young footballers.
Many thanks for all your support. To the parents who managed the
teams and helped ref the matches thanks again, and while too many
to mention a special thanks to Helen Cullen who played a stormer
and to the better halves of the coaches who prepared the sambos.
To all the kids well done. Malahide has a rich
vein of footballing talent coming through from the young 7 year
olds in the village.
Ronnie Feeney
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