Sevens event a fitting tribute to Loth legend
THE second annual Stephen Melia Sevens in aid of the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association (IMNDA) again proved a huge success on Saturday.
The competition organised by the Louth County Board, John Mitchells GFC and St. Josephs GFC saw matches take place in Darver and Dromiskin.
Over 20 teams entered the tournament, mainly from the host county, and some from Meath and Cavan and it proved to be a very competitive affair.
The eight teams qualifying for the quarter finals were Naomh Mairtin, Ramor United (Cavan), St. Marys Ardee, O’Connells, Roche Emmets, Wolfe Tones (Meath), Stabannon Parnells and St. Brides.
In first two quarter finals Ramor United proved too strong for St. Marys and O’Connells edged out near rivals Naomh Mairtin in a thriller after extra time. The third quarter final saw Roche Emmets, last year’s finalists come through in a very tight match after extra time against
St. Brides. In the fourth match Wolfe Tones came through against Stabannon Parnells.
In the semi-finals Ramor United defeated O’Connells 3-7 to 0-5 and Wolfe Tones won out against a battling Roche Emmets by 4-8 to 2-5. In the final it was a very impressive Ramor United who claimed the title defeating Wolfe Tones by 2-10 to 0-2, with their star player Pauric O’Connell claiming the player of the tournament award.
The rest period before the final saw the U14s from Man O’War play St. Josephs featuring Stephens son Adam.
The organsiers thanked anyone who helped make the day possible, including the organising team from Louth County Board, John Mitchels and St. Josephs, sponsors and all the teams who took part in aid of IMNDA.
They also paid tribute to Stephen’s wife Orla and children Adam and Amy, and indeed the whole Melia family who were on hand to make the presentations.