Shillelagh soccer fest success!
THE football Gods were smiling on Ballard Park, home of Shillelagh United Youths Juvenile Soccer Club last Sunday, May 21, for the Inaugural Shillelagh Soccer Fest.
The two home teams, Shillelagh Sky Blues and Navys hosted four visiting teams from Aughrim Rangers, Coolboy Rangers, Avonmore FC and Gorey Rangers who all took to the field for the seve-a-side under-10s blitz.
Matches kicked off at 11am on two pitches with every team playing each other to set up the two cup groups.
The highlight of the play-offs was the home derby where the Sky Blue’s gave it everything and nearly caused a major upset narrowly going down to the Navy’s by 2 goals to 1, despite the four-division gap in the league.
On to the semi’s where Shillelagh Sky Blues narrowly beat Coolboy Rangers for a place in the Blackthorn Shield final against Avonmore and Gorey Rangers overcame Aughrim to set up a meeting with Shillelagh Navy’s in the Oak Cup final.
Both finals were fiercely contested affairs, both going to penalties with Avonmore FC and Shillelagh Navy’s the ultimate winners of the Blackthorn Shield and Oak Cups.
Speaking at the prize-giving, Club Chairman, Claude Dagge said: “the real winners here today are each and every one of the kids who played so fiercely, showing talent, skill, heard work and heart. It brought it home to all of us why we get involved with kids sport.
“We decided to set up Shillelagh United Youths a little over a year ago when we saw a real demand for a juvenile soccer club in our community.
“We have had an incredible first season and hope to build on that in the coming years, gradually adding more teams at more age ranges.
“We will be launching a recruitment drive for players and coaches over the coming month to establish what demand is out there and plan to build from there.
“The list of thank yous for today (and indeed the season) is nearly endless, so it wouldn’t be possi- ble to list everyone individually, but from the travelling teams, to our referees, to our generous sponsors, to our parents, our hardworking coaches, everyone who bought a raffle ticket, donated cakes, photography services, goal posts, served teas and coffees, cleaned up and then some, we cannot express how grateful we are.
“Here’s to a well-deserved summer break for everyone and coming back even bigger and better next season,” he added.
For more information you can follow the club on Facebook/ Shillelagh United Youths.