The Kerry Diocesan Youth Service (KDYS) in partnership with An Gárda Síochána, Castleisland ran their annual soccer tournament at Georgie O’Callaghan Park on Thursday evening, July 18th
The event proved to be an outstanding success with a record breaking number of teams entering the various age categories.
A total of 16 teams entered with over 160 players taking part in this year’s three categories: Primary School section, U-15s and an U-18s competition.
The primary school competition alone had nine teams taking part. They were drawn in three groups with top three teams in each group getting into the semi-finals.
The Ramblers V The Confidence Killers
In the end it came down to a final between The Ramblers and The Confidence Killers and the final was a competitive match with great skill on display.
The Ramblers won on a score line of 2-1. The team members and coaches were delighted to win the trophy and victory brought huge celebrations.
There were five teams in this category with all teams playing each other and the top two teams in the final. The final was between Snackbox FC and Sean Griffins’s Boys with ‘Snackbox FC’ winning on a scoreline of 2-0.
The Georgie O Callaghan Memorial Cup was presented by his brother Jamesie to the winning captain Ajay O’Connor.
Aidan Joy’s Mafia V The Grizzleys
There were two teams in the U-18’s competition. They played each other twice, and the games were played out in a great spirit and in the end Aidan Joy’s Mafia were victorious beating The Grizzleys on a score line of 1-0.
In each competition, there were also awards presented to individuals for: player of the tournament. In the primary schools game, Dylan O’Brien from The Ramblers received the award.
In the U-15s category Glen O’Sullivan from Snackbox FC received the award. Maurice Lane from Aidan Joys Mafia earned the award for the U-18 category.
The event was organised by Chris Brosnan and Helena Falvey, Youth Justice Workers, KDYS, alongside Garda Niamh Corkery, Sgt. Marcus Twomey and Garda Mike Dwyer.
However, the annual event depends on the support and help of many local volunteers.
Time for Thanks
KDYS and Castleisland Garda Síochána wish to take this opportunity to thank the following people: Stuart Auctioneers for sponsorship of medals and plaques; Castleisland AFC for use of Georgie O’Callaghan Park and special mention to the late Georgie’s twin brother, Jamesie O’ Callaghan for helping on the night; Cian Ring, Jim O Connor and student Garda Kalid who did an outstanding job in refereeing the games; the KDYS staff and An Gárda Síochána for their help on the night.
They also jointly expressed a special thanks to all the team organisers, players and everyone else who supported the event and signed of with: “We look forward to seeing you again next year.”
This project which has run since 2003 is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union.
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