EMU has plenty to celebrate
THE first EMU Soccer Festival was run over the weekend, and despite a rainy start the event was a massive success.
It started on Saturday at 9am when the EMU volunteer team met to get the ball rolling. The Under 9s, 10s and 11s played a non-competitive blitz against teams from all over the region and North Dublin.
Even with the heavens falling down, the kids just played, whilst parents and coaches got wet - but not cold as they were served by the opening of the club’s new coffee shop.
It has been called The Red Card Café - the idea of EMU Tigers Under-12 player Karl Dunne who won a €100 voucher for Lifestyle Sports, kindly donated by BTW Drogheda, for coming up with the catchy name.
At the end of the event all the players received a participation medal and left with hours of football action under their belts.
The organising committee then placed a Child of Prague out in hope of better weather on Sunday.
The Sunday kicked off with the U-12 Tournament, which saw 12 teams take part in 4 competitions - two cups and and plates.
The weather was working in EMU’s favour as the games kicked off and each team played three group games and then based on their group finishing position they played a semi-final in one of the four competitions.
EMU’s Galaxy qualified for the Premier Cup semi-finals and EMU Tigers and Stars qualified for the cup and plate finals.
While all this was happening the club’s volunteer team was busy getting the grounds ready to make the annual EMU Family Fun and Awards Day one to remember.
Obstacle courses, gladiator rings, Top bin shots, Barcelona sponge shots, crossbar challenges, music and barbecue and coffee shop facilities all swung into action as the finals of the competition were being played.
The club’s player of the year awards were then handed out, with 51 kids walking away with smiles of well-earned success and hard work for the past season.
The finals kicked off with EMU Tigers v Stamullen FC in the Championship Plate, EMU Stars were up against St Columbans in the Championship Cup, Home Farm took on Belvedere in the Premier Cup and Drogheda Boys played Lourdes Celtic in the Premier Plate.
The EMU Tigers lost out to Stamullen FC in the plate and EMU Stars won against a tough St Columbans in their final, with Sean Corr scoring four goals in the final to give EMU the Championship Cup.
The premier competitions were at the highest standard there can be at this age in the country and Home Farm saw off Belvedere in their final and Drogheda Boys won a pulsating decider on penalties to add some drama to the day.
As the soccer festival came to a close Barry Ferguson, the FAI Meath Regional Development Officer, handed out the cups and medals and praised the quality of football played by all the teams.
The cherry on top for the day saw the official opening of the new all-weather facilities by club directors Kieran Moloney, Aidan Tallon and Cllr Sharon Tolan, along with Committee members and Richard Fahey, Director of Club Licensing and Facility Development for the FAI. These fantastic new facilities will be a massive benefit to the club and for future generations to come.