Red letter day for Mallow Town FC as FAI top brass pay special visit
IT was a very proud date for Mallow Town Football Club last Sunday as a group of FAI delegates visited their grounds in St Patrick’s Boys National School.
It was all part of the Festival of Football week being run in Cork. Guests included CEO John Delaney, President Tony Fitzgerald, former Irish Internationals Richard Dunne and Stephen Hunt, ladies international player Roma McLaughlin, numerous FAI coaches and staff.
The FAI delegates were greeted by Mallow Town FC secretary David Howell who brought them along to meet the Mallow Town underage academy players from the ages of 5 up to 11 who were training at the time and also introduce them to coaches and parents.
Stephen Hunt and Richard Dunne joined in for a bit of fun and also had a question and answers session. They were excellent with the kids and and afterwards stood in for photos and signed jerseys and autographs with kids and parents.
The FAI delegates also took time out to watch an U/12 blitz final which was ongoing at the same time.
As part of the Festival of Football Week Mallow Town FC ran an U/12 pre-season blitz against Mayfield United, Fermoy FC and Saint Brendans Park from Tralee. Every team played each other once with the top two teams playing off in the final.
All the games were very entertaining and close fought affairs. Mallow topped the group, winning all three matches and played St Brendan’s Park from Tralee in the final who finished runners up in the group with Fermoy but progressed on goal difference. Only for the brilliance of Tralee’s goalkeeper Mallow would have won this match comfortably as he saved a penalty and numerous shots on goal.
As the game was heading for a draw and penalties, Denzell Obenge raced clear to finished past the keeper and win the match for Mallow. All in all it was a great work out for all the teams as they prepare for the season ahead which commences in two weeks.
John Delaney remaked that there was a great atmosphere and buzz around the place surrounding the newly formed club as he walked around the pitch and training area watching part of the blitz final and meeting various Mallow Town coaches and parents along the way. There was a large turn out of both parents and kids and he made an effort to talk to everyone.
Once the final was over everyone headed into St Patrick’s School hall for refreshments and presentation.
Club secretary David Howell thanked the FAI for being part of the event. Both FAI president Tony Fitzgerald and CEO John Delaney thanked everyone for the very warm welcome and acknowledged all the hard work being done in starting up a new club and catering for such large numbers.
Mallow Town FC were presented with €3,000 for various purchases for the club and 50 tickets were also handed over for the upcoming Ireland v Denmark game in the Aviva Stadium. Former Irish international Stephen Hunt and Ladies international Roma McLaughlin presented the medals to both teams after the final.
Mallow Town’s Eoin Howell came out on top and sparked great celebrations from his team mates after winning a Penalty Shoot- Out competition.
At the end of the celebrations Mallow Town Players of the Year were announced and they were: Darragh O’Flunn (U/7), Paudie Coady (U/8), Bobby O’Sullivan (U/9), Adam Kenny (U/10), Galileo Erabhor( U/11) and Denzel Obenge(U/12).
David Howell thanked everyone for making the event such a success.