Dark Horses lift the Thomas Murphy trophy
BRAY Travellers Community Development Group has thanked everyone who turned out last week for their annual Thomas Murphy memorial six-a-side integrated soccer tournament in Ballywaltrim.
Ten teams in total entered this year’s competition, which made up 90 participants in the overall football tournament.
There was excitement, entertainment and an epic final.
‘ There are so many elements that make this competition something worth talking about,’ said a spokesman for the Community Development Group. ‘ The local rivalries, the teams coming from outside the town, the players who “come out of retirement” every year for the tournament and a more recent phenomenon, the players who weren’t even born when the tournament was first held!’
Organiser Jim O’Brien has immense pride in the competition and is well aware that while work goes on in the background to prepare for the week of football, the players, teams and spectators are the ones who bring it to life.
The final last Thursday night gave football fans the ultimate match-up between the Dargle Boys – a team of veterans with a sprinkle of youth – and the Dark Horses – a group of youths with an experienced veteran in their ranks. The teams could not be separated after extra time with the score at 3-3 and some phenomenal goal keeping displays from both sides. A penalty shoot-out was required to produce a winner and the Dark Horses came out on top with some clinical finishing to secure their first ever victory in the final of the Thomas Murphy Memorial Cup.
Tony Harris, while on the losing side, was nominated as ‘Player of the Final’, and Michael Moorehouse lifted the cup for his team.
‘We would like to thank everyone who attend- ed over the last week in support of our tournament. Well done! And also a big thank you to our funders, Department of Justice, KWETB - School Completion,’ said Mr O’Brien. ‘We would also like to thank the referee Brendan Coleman who officiated the games.
‘Also a special thanks to the users committee of Ballywaltrim recreational parks including, John Byrne (Caretaker Ballywaltrim), Tom Bailey (BMC), and to all of our helpers.’