FOOTBALL | Shamrocks players do their coaches proud at tournament in Wales

The Shamrocks FC U14 squad enjoyed their weekend at the recent 2017 SCI Youth Football Festival in Wales.

The Fatima club were the only club from the Republic of Ireland to take part in the competition which took place at Pontins in Prestatyn Sands Holiday Park.

Day one proved to be a bit of a learning curve for the team but they grew into the competition on Sunday, narrowly losing out to a last minute goal against St Asaph Lions from North Wales.

A 3–0 victory followed against Belfast side, Willowbank FC. Killian McKay set Shamrocks on their way after a well hit free-kick from Joseph Gorman.

The second goal was the result of a three-man move that started with some quick thinking from goalkeeper Thomas Mulligan who caught the ball from a corner and released Gorman in midfield.

He opened up the Willowbank defence with a wonderful pass with the outside of his boot to find striker Barry Griffin who finished from 18 yards into the bottom corner.

The third goal was another world class effort. Gorman intercepted the ball just inside his own half and proceeded to beat five Willowbank players before finishing low and hard past the keeper.

Game three was against Forefield Rangers from Liverpool who went unbeaten all weekend on the way to winning the overall tournament.

Shamrocks got off to a flyer with a 25-yard lob by Griffin and a predatory tap-in by Shane Moran putting them 2–0 ahead at half time.

Forefield Rangers, however, pegged them back midway through the second half and eventually ran out 3–2 winners after a very suspect penalty.

Managers Liam Lindsay and Barry Griffin very delighted with the showing of their players, who finished in third place overall.

There were some excellent performances over the weekend with some man of match displays from Keane Gaskin, Shane Moran and Luke Markey.

The club’s U10 team, managed by Tommy O’Hare and Thomas Macken, also took part in the tournament.

Both sets of players received trophies from former England midfielder and Sunderland manager Peter Reid at the closing ceremony.

Shamrocks would like to thank sponsors Castletown Pharmacy and DPD Dundalk, along with CX+Sport, for their support.