AN EXCELLENT TOURNAMENT
BALLISODARE welcomed eight u14 boys’ teams from around Ireland and Northern Ireland to Sligo for the Atlantic Cup on Saturday 14th July.
Ballisodare United and Merville United were joined by Ballinamallard United (Fermanagh), Bonagee United (Donegal), Finn Harps Academy (Donegal), Mervue United (Galway), Corbally United (Limerick), Carrick Rovers (Monaghan) and Phoenix FC (Dublin) in the one day tournament which was run is partnership with SpunOut.ie
The tournament format saw two groups each of four teams. The top two in each group advancing into the Atlantic Cup semi finals and the bottom two in each group going into the Plate semi finals.
Group A consisted of Mervue United, Carrick Rovers, Bonagee United and Ballisodare United.
Mervue, Carrick and Ballisodare looked strong from the start and all had sights on topping the group. Meanwhile despite troubling all three opposition teams Donegal side Bonagee somehow narrowly lost all three of their group games to pace setters. There was very little to choose from between the other three teams. Mervue grabbed a vital 1-0 win against hosts Ballisodare, Ballisodare then put in a fantastic performance to beat Carrick Rovers 2-0 and just as it looked like Mervue would top the group and Ballisodare get second, Carrick Rovers threw what could have been a spanner in the works by beating Mervue 2-1 in the final group game.
With Mervue, Ballisodare and Carrick Rovers all on 6 points only goal difference could separate the sides. Ballisodare topped the group and Mervue snatched second place to progress to the Atlantic Cup semi finals while Carrick Rovers can count themselves unlucky to drop into third and moved on to the Plate semi finals alongside Bonagee who finished bottom of this extremely tough group.
In Group B DDSL side Phoenix FC were joined by Ballinamallard United, Finn Harps Academy United and Limerick District Cup champions Corbally United.
Corbally demonstrated great resolve to see off Phoenix 2-1 in the group opener while Harps and the Mallards played out a 1-1 draw. In the second group games Ballinamallard once again drew, this time 0-0 with Phoenix. Corbally ensured their second win on the bounce by conquering Finn Harps 1-0. When the Limerick side made it three wins from three by beating Ballinamallard 1-0 they were ensured of topping the group on 9 points. Phoenix rose from their slumber after a poor start to comprehensively dispatch of Finn Harps 4-1. The results meant Corbally topped the group on 9 points, Phoenix second on 4 while Ballinamallard and Harps went into the Plate in third and fourth place respectively.
In the Plate semi finals Carrick Rovers stayed on winning ways as they beat Finn Harps 3-1. The Monaghan side proving to be strong and having 6 players in the Cavan Monaghan that came 4th in the Kennedy Cup in UL last month helped their cause. In the other Plate semi final it was Bonagee from outside Letterkenny against Fermanagh based Ballinamallard. Ballinamallard scored the odd goal in three, winning 2-1 and advancing to the Plate final to meet reigning Carrick Rovers.
In a local Donegal derby Finn Harps beat Bonagee 2-0 in the 3/4 place playoff in the Plate competition. The Plate final between Ballinamallard and Carrick Rovers was a cagey affair with both sides cancelling each other out. Carrick’s best players Dylan McConnell and Kian Duffy couldn’t create chances against a stubborn Ballinamallard rear guard. When the final whistle blew the scoreline was 0-0 and the 2018 Atlantic Plate would be decided on a penalty shootout. After a combined 11 converted penalties Ballinamallard missed one as Carrick Rovers celebrated. A tough way you lose for Ballinamallard who had a standout performer in Jack Ovens while Carrick Rovers certainly deserved winners of the Atlantic Plate.
In the Atlantic Cup semi-finals Mervue United played Corbally United while Phoenix was matched up against Ballisodare United.
Corbally had six players who were in the Limerick District side in the recent Kennedy Cup and Mervue themselves had seven on the Galway Kennedy Cup team.
However, it was Mervue who stole the show and this game showcased the best team performance of the day.
Mervue players Thompson and Healy were magnificent and a previously unbeaten Corbally side were starved of possession throughout the tie and Mervue took a 2-0 lead s half time beckoned. Both sides failed to add to the score line in the second half and Mervue United booked a spot in the Atlantic Cup final.
In the other Cup semi final Phoenix continued to improve and it’s likely Ballisodare began to run out of steam. Despite a bright start Ballisodare soon found themselves 2-0 down. Phoenix duo of Erik Mooney and Kyle O’Neil proving to be a dominant centre midfield partnership. The whistle blew, the Dublin side winning 2-0 and now joining Mervue United in the Atlantic Cup final.
In the 3/4th place Play-off Corbally beat Ballisodare 5-0 as teams juggled their squads. Corbally striker Cian Specht adding to his impressive goal scoring tally of 5 goals in the tournament.
In the showpiece Mervue v Phoenix was the Atlantic Cup Final on Pitch 1. This was a final of two teams playing a very high standard of football with plenty of skill on show. Both teams looked aware to the threats and styles of play of each other. The game ebbed and flowed and as both teams tired the breakthrough was looking until a moment of magic from Mervue United left winger Danny O’Toole.
O’Toole beat two players during a skilful run and finished superbly to the far corner.
This was the last significant chance in the game as injuries mounted for both teams. The game ended 1-0 and Mervue United became the 2018 Atlantic Cup Champions.
Mervue United were a joy to watch in all their games.
All players appeared confident in possession with full backs Churchill Idemudia and Ronan Bambara starring in almost every Mervue attack. Ryan Nolan was fantastic at centre back while centre midfielders Steven Healy and Matthew Thompson controlled every game with superb passing abilities. On reflection while many teams performed admirably on the day Mervue United definitely deserved to be crowned winners of the 2018 Atlantic Cup.
The Player of the Tournament was awarded to Mervue United player Churchill Idemudia who put on numerous magnificent displays throughout the tournament.
Ballisodare United Secretary Stephen Healy would like to thank the travelling players and coaches, fans who came out, SpunOut for partnering with the club, the referees and the Ballisodare United Committee and volunteers who contributed to another successful tournament.