U-16 Victory Shield launch

THE International Under-16 Victory Shield was officially launched at a function at The Rose Hotel in Tralee on last Thursday.

The prestigious event will be staged in Tralee from November 12 to 16 and will be played at Mounthawk Park, Christy Leahy Park and Tralee Dynmos headquarters at Cahermoneen.

Republic of Ireland Under-16 Head Coach Paul Osam was joined at the event by Mayor of Tralee Graham Spring and SAFIB Executive Nixon Morton.

The Under-16 international tournament features the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Speaking at the launch Paul Osam said he hopes that his side can win the tournament for the third year in a row after previous successes in Northern Ireland and Scotland.

“It would be lovely to win for the third time in a row. This tournament is a great addition to the calendar for the Under-16 group and we’re really looking forward to it,” he said.

Mayor of Tralee Graham Spring says it is a massive coup for the town to host an international tournament.

“The town has a great sporting tradition and it’s fantastic for Tralee to host an international tournament of this calibre. Hopefully it acts as an inspiration for young players in the region.”

Mayor of Kerry Norma Foley and the Mayor of Tralee Graham Spring launching the 2018 U-16 FAI Victory Shield in The Rose Hotel Tralee on Thursday. Front, l-r: KDL Chairman Sean O’Keeffe, Mayor of Kerry Norma Foley, Paul Osam, manager of the Irish U-16, Mayor of Tralee Graham Spring and Nixon Moatin. Back, l-r: Kieran O’Regan, Murt Murphy, KDL Secretary John O’Regan, Padraig Harnett, Geraldine Nagle, Frank Hayes, Mark Sullivan, Rose Hotel GM, Michael Healy Rae TD, Daniel Kelly, Cllr Sammy Locke and Denis Guerin.