Locals represent Ireland at World University Games
THESE are exciting times for a group of five local soccer stars as they prepare to don the green of Ireland at the World University Games in the Taiwanese capital Taipei.
Shane Dunne, John McKeown, Jetta Berrill, Jamie Hollywood and Eoghan Dempsey are due to jet out to the Far East today (Tuesday) for a bit of acclimatisation to the Taiwanese heat before embarking on their first games on Friday.
It’s quite a coup for the Drogheda area to have five representatives, and two of them (Hollywood, IT Blanch; and Dempsey, IT Carlow) are current Drogheda United players. Two of the others previously represented the Boynesiders, namely Duleek native Dunne (IT Carlow) and Collon-born McKeown who was the only player from Maynooth University to be selected.
Monasterboice native Berrill, who plays for the UCD club in the Women’s National League, recently won her first senior international cap and will be a key players for the Irish ladies.
Ireland’s men’s team will play France, Mexico and hosts Taiwan in the group stages, while the women face games against Mexico and Canada.
After the groups have been completed the classification part of the tournament begins and that continues until the final games at the end of the month. Carrick Rovers v Rock Celtic, 7.0, P Burns Jnr. BJD Cel v Electro, Castlerahan, 7.15, P Burns Snr.
Sunday, August 20
11.15 unless stated.
O’Neill Shield:
Rathmullen v Robinstown, Meadowview, N Scott.
Brady’s Seat Premier Div:
Trim Celtic v Bellurgan, 11.30, C Byrne, J Gorman, S McMahon.
O’Neills Sports Div 1:
Enfield v Athboy, B Cruise; Kentstown v Navan Town, C Pierce; Trim Town v Carrick, 11.30, David Murphy; Square v Rock Celtic, 2.30, S Halpenny.
Brady’s Seat Div 2:
Rathkenny v Hazel Lane, G Donnelly; Torro v Rossin, T Little; Virginia v Redeemer Cel, Kings Park, 11.30, B Srdjan; Oldcastle v Woodview, 11.30, K Ennis.
Brady’s Seat Div 3:
Lourdes Cel v Skryne/Tara, Moneymore, D Carolan; Park Celtic Summerhill v Newtown, J Regan; BJD Cel v Bay FC, Castlerahan, 2.30, Paul Rooney; Donacarney v Quay Athletic, 2.30, S Kidd. .
Brady’s Seat Div 4:
Electro v Slane, G Doyle;
Kilmessan v Grove Rangers, MDL, P Smaksowski; Bohermeen v Moneymore, MDL, M Gallagher; Thatch FC v BMC, Albion, 11.30, D Browne.
Monday, August 21, 8.00
Over 35s Group B:
Cavan Town v Woodview, Cavan Astro Park,
For Dunne, it’s a welcome distraction from the League of Ireland, where he is currently in his second spell with Wexford who are bottom of the Division 1 table.
‘It’s going to be a great experience and a bit of craic,’ he enthused.
‘We’ve been together as a squad a few times this year and had a couple of friendly matches, so we all know each other, but most of the lads play League of Ireland so I’ve been playing against them anyway.
‘It’s going to be tough for Ireland because the standard is very good, but if we can get through the group stages we will see what happens.’ P Dowd.
Results
Bailieboro 2 Kingscourt 0; Hazel Lane 2 Boyne Harps 4; Kentstown 4 Oldcastle 0; Parkvilla 0 Newfoundwell 7; Torro 2 Bellurgan 1; Virginia 1 Trim Celtic 5, Redeemer Celtic 2 Muirhevnamor 4, Rossin 0 Duleek 4.
O’Neill Shield:
Bay FC 5 Chord Celtic 4; Fordrew 7 Castle Villa 0; Lourdes Cel 0 Skryne/Tara 0; Newtown 2 Park Cel Summerhill 2; Rathmullen 4 Bohermeen 1;Robinstown 2 Kells Celtic 3; Slane 1 Electro 1, Donacarney 3 Glenmuir 0, Quay Ath 1 Thatch 4.
O’Neills Sports Div 1:
Athboy 1 Rock Celtic 1; Navan Town 1 Enfield 6; Trim Town 3 Kells-Blackwater 3, Square 2 Johnstown 1.
Brady’s Seat Div 4:
Kilmessan 3 BMC 0.
Mid-week scores
Kilmessan Shield:
Trim Celtic 1 Athboy 0; Duleek 8 Trim Town 0; Bellurgan 3 Rock Celtic 1; Kingscourt Harps 5 Kells-Blackwater 0; OMP 5 Enfield 1; Boyne Harps 2 Square Utd 0; Quay Celtic 1 Ardee Celtic 1; Muirhevnamor 4 Carrick 3; Newfoundwell 3 Johnstown 1.
Over 35 League:
Group A: Parkvilla 0 Albion 0.
Group B: Cavan Town 5 BJD Celtic 2.