Our U14 DDSL Premier travelled to Blackpool to play Academy sides from Blackpool, Fleetwood and TNS from Wales.

They stayed in Blackpool with games taking place in Blackpool’s Academy ground which is in Myerscough College near Preston.

The team got to visit the famous pier in Blackpool the day before the games.

As a large core of our U14 Premier group are the year younger and capable of playing U13 in England, we added 4 Players from Paddy Moran’s St.Kevins u15 Premier side, who are capable of playing u14 in England.

They played Fleetwood Town in the first game and drew 0-0

Second Game beaten 3-1 by Blackpool Academy

Third Game beaten 2-0 by TNS

Final game beaten 2-0 by Fleetwood

Overall it was excellent learning and an eye opener to a lot of the lads on what is required to play academy football in the U.K. It was the first trip to the U.K for nearly every player, so hopefully it lights a rocket under them.

Natan Banka was outstanding in every game, and didn’t look out of his depth at all. He is developing really well and could really kick on.

For the most part in the games the size and power of the opposition was too much to contend with, especially for our late birthdays, but the lads gave a great account of themselves and behaved extremely well.

 

In the East Mallorca Cup our U13 Premier played local Spanish side Porto cristo in the first game they won 6 nil.  Ashley Okeowo got man of the match.

They played a well organised Estonian side FC Ararrat which we had most of the possession but couldn’t find the back of the net. Lads were very good across the park in that game. Midifeld trio of Max Dunne Sam Young and Eoin Fitzpatrick were stand outs. They lost that game 2-0.

In the next game they played a local Spanish side in Arta FC winning 8 nil and Owen Walker coming out with man of the match. Great performances from Mason Slevin, Josh Finnegan Ethan O’Connor and Syzmon Glownia ensuring the final game against la Liga locals RCD Mallorca was to be the highlight of the trip.

This game was played with high intensity and a  skill set which was worthy of some of the best Kevin’s sides over the years. Back two in Blazej Kurcharski and Ben Nicholls along with our full backs Albie Vozza and Zack Murray allowed no enjoyment for Mallorca, both wide midfielders Conor Doyle and Simon Glownia created many good chances for the forward line. But the game of the tournament was missing the vital goal they needed to progress.

This meant they went to the shield game and beat another local side Vivasport one nil with an exceptional strike from Josh Finnegan to earn us notable recognition for an exceptional tournament

 

Our U13 Premier Sunday went to the Costa Dorada tournament where they  played 3 Spanish teams   and an English Academy team. Having played brilliantly in the first 3 games they beat Anorga KKE 4-0 in their last game to qualify for the 1/4 finals of the cup……Unfortunately tiredness caught up with lads & we bowed out @ this stage ( Losing 2-0).

Mason Adobe was the St Kevins FC player of the tournament & his quality was noted by the tournament organisers .

The campsite accommodation was fantastic. The buffet breakfast/Lunch & Dinner was generally given 9/10 for quality & choice .

The team will have life time memories & loved the swimming pool/Free bikes/crazy golf/beach volleyball/pool & table tennis.

Special thanks to Mark Healy for all his work organising the trip….

 

Our U10 & 11A teams could have done with some Spanish sunshine when they took part in the Oakham tournament over three days last week. Unfortunately the inclement cold weather of gales and torrential rain for the three days spoiled the tournament as a spectacle.  With the games restricted to 15 minutes duration with no half time turn around the winners of the toss at the start generally ended up winning the games. It was a steep learning curve for managers, coaches and players in what is always a well run high quality tournament.  We will be returning to Oakham in August with our U12 Premier team who will play in the elite U13 section.

Paul Noonan’s 12 Sunday side had a one day trip to Burnley to play their Academy team and later in the day went to see Fleetwood Town play Accrington Stanley in their League game.  A memorable trip for all.

Well done to all coaches and managers for the hard work put in to organizing and funding these trips. All the teams were a credit to the Club in the way they were kitted out and in their behaviour and performance both on and off the pitch.