Kennedy Cup report about No. Tipp. U13s
Posted: 2010-07-01 16:14:06

A squad of 20 u13 soccer players picked from North Tipperary Schoolboy League member clubs backed up by a team of coaches took part in the Kennedy cup soccer tournment at the University of Limerick from June 21st to 25th last.

Organised by the Schoolboy Football Association of Ireland, the Umbro-sponsored Kennedy Cup saw each of the 32 affiliated Schoolboys soccer leagues compete for various silverware on offer, competing with teams from around the country in what has now become the premiere showcase for schoolboy soccer since its inceptionin 1976. The aim of the competition is to provide competition at all levels with the main cup, plate, bowl and shield silverware also up for grabs between all the entrants.

Grouped with the holders Dublin District Schoolboys league, Wexford and Kilkenny, the North Tipp boys found it tough going in their first 3 group games.

The sheer size of the DDSL league, the largest league in Ireland with 16,000 registered players has undoubtedly helped them to win a record 7th in-a-row title at this years event. North Tipperary schoolboys league in comparison have 1100 players registered for the pst 2 seasons for league soccer from u10 to u16 divisions with many more u6 and u8 non-league players taking part in improver academies at many of the leagues 16 member clubs (further information about North Tipperary Schoolboy Leagues member clubs and league activities at www.ntsl.league.ie).

In their first game the Tipp boys took on tournament favourites (and winners for the past 6 years) Dublin District Schoolboy League). Phelim O' Hagan scored in an evenly balanced first half to go in at half-time 1 up. DDSL, the holders were given a shock when going behind. In the second half, Tipperary's Abhainn Coleman was tackled very heavily and ended up spending an evening in Nenagh Hospital followed by three days on crutches. Jack Brady in goal made 3 great saves before an unfortunate ball-to-hand decision in the Tipp box went against the Tipp side and DDSL Scored the penalty which Brady got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. DDSL scored two quick goals to win 3-1 but not before Conor Maguire had a long range shot just go over the bar.

The next game versus Wexford, proved difficult as North Tipperary were 3-0 down in the first 15 mins to an excellent slcik passing team. Chasing the game from then on, the Tipp side were further troubled when their keeper was carried off with a head injury in the secon half. The game finished with Wexford running out 5:0 winners.

The last game in the first round was against Kilkenny. North Tipperary were definitely up for the challenge and were very unlucky to go behind 1:0 from a ''route 1'' long-ball from Kilkenny.

Moving to the trophy section, for group 4th place finishers, a very tight game then followed against Mayo, eventually losing 0:1 and a 2:2 draw with Athlone (winning 3:2 on penalties with goals from Thomas Conway, Conor Maguire and Phelim 0'Hagan. Regulation time goals were scored by Shane Moloney and Conor Maguire who scored a stunning 22 yard free kick. Colin O' Brien had a fantastic game in goal for the Tipp side, saving 3 penalties.

The last game was a very close encounter versus neighbours and rivals Clare with Clare winning 2:0, with North Tipperary finishing 30th overall in the competition as a result.

Enda Brady North Tipperary's manager speaking after the event noted that ''many of the players have been with the FAI Emerging talent programme in North Tipperary for a number of years now. This past season we have played a number of friendlies in preparation for the UL competition over the psat few months while fitness, stamina and ball skills training took centre stage in the run up to the tournament. A Huge commitment was required and efforts made by all were very much appreciated by the coaches and management team.

''The competition proved to be very strong this year but this squad represented the premier county proudly adding that ''the lads battled hard and if 1 or 2 decisions had went the other way who knows. Some of the results were disappointing but the lads played to the best of their ability and gave 110.%. More importantly 20 Young lads had a great time and we are sure they learned a lot along the way. The skills they have learned can now be taken back to their clubs''

Starting 3 years ago a group of over 70 players in 2007 ended up being a final season 2009/10 squad of 30 players with 20 players making the final cut last easter representing 6 North Tippeary Schoolboy league members (Lough Derg, Nenagh AFC, Birdhill, Ballymackey, Ardcrooney and Tempelmore)

The North Tipperary squad was: Jack Brady, Lough Derg; Willie Coffey, Ballymackey; Conor Ryan, Nenagh AFC; Jordan Lewis, Nenagh AFC; Dillon Walsh, Nenagh AFC; Thomas Conway,
Lough Derg; Conor Maguire, Lough Derg; Abhainn Coleman, Ardcroney; Phelim O' Hagan, Lough Derg; Ryan Gilmartin, Nenagh AFC; Alan Sheehan, Nenagh AFC; Shane Moloney, Lough Derg; Liam Duffy, Birdhill; Pa Ryan, Birdhill; Mattie Connolly, Birdhill; Cillian Fitzpatrick, Nenagh AFC; Paul Ryan, Ballymackey; Mikey Greed, Templemore; Emmett Moloney, Tempelmore; Colin 0'Brien, Nenagh AFC with manager, Enda Brady and coaches: Peadar Lyons, John Gilmartin, Ronan Boyle, Eddie Fitzpatrick and head of Delegation, Jamie Gilmour. Jaques Lombrasso also assisted with coaching last season.

The programme is assisted by James Scott, Regional Development Officer FAI as part of the FAI Emerging Talent programme (working in conjunction with the North Tippeary Schoolboy League management committee on behalf of member clubs) which also includes developmental programmes for u11 and u12 players. In the 2009/10 season the introduction of a new u10 futsal academy in North Tipperary took place.

With this type of development work together with regular league play (in 2009/10 season The North Tipp schoolboy league had 4 x u10, 2 x u11, 2 x u12, 2 x u13 and 1 division at u14, u15 and u16) and local and national knockout cup competition entrants, the NTSL is year on year growing larger and becoming busier with lots of activity at club and league level.

For these young players who took part in the Kennedy Cup it was a great experience, of that there is no doubt. Speaking on the SFAI website recently, John 0' Shea, Mancheser United and Republic of Ireland defender remembers The Kennedy Cup was where the real competitive football started for him. ''It was a tough competition to be involved in and despite losing the semi-final, I have great memories from it. He played in 1995 in the competition for Waterford Bohs. The experience helped him develop as a player. Let's hope it will do the same for the North Tipperary boys too.

by: Bobby Lynch PRO NTSL.

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