Under 8B1 Astro league Tournament 2011

SHANKILL FC-UNDER EIGHT ASTRO LEAGUE JANAURY 2011



The under eight B1 team from Shankill FC competed in an Astro turf league which ran over the month of January. The tournament was hosted by Astro.ie in Benildus College Stillorgan and was in a champion’s league format, three pool games, a semi-final and final. The team was drawn in pool 3 with four teams in the group, Cherry Orchard, Park Celtic & Mount Merrion.

The first game was against Park Celtic, the game went well and after a nervy start Shankill took control of the game and ran out 7:2 winners in the end. This was a great team effort with some resolute defending from Luke, Ciaran and Hughie and a master class of midfield play from Adam, Neil, Sean and Ultan with Corey running his heart out as the lone striker. Three goals for Sean, two for Neil and two for Ultan and lets not forget the Goalie honours shared by Ruaidhrí, Ultan & Hughie.



Next up on a very windy day was Mount Merrion, we decided to play into the wind in the first half and we are not sure what happened but we found our selves 7:2 down at half time. We couldn’t figure out if it was the wind which was blowing like a hurricane or what? Or were the opposition really that much better than us? Anyway we rallied the lads and lifted them as best we could, and boy did they put in a great performance in the second half. We lost the game in the end but the second half was all about Shankill we were much better. Ciaran and Luke were immense at the back and our midfield was first to every ball and played some fabulous football. The game finished 7:5 but we came away with our heads held high. Goals on the day from Adam, Ultan, and Neil and of course two from Sean.
The last day was to be a bit of a marathon with our last group game and then the knockout phase.  We were without Ultan for the day as he was over at old Trafford so we drafted in Sean Mulhall to fill his boots. We played our last group game against Cherry Orchard and I think this was one of the games of the tournament. We started brightly and were playing some pretty good football against a very good Cherry Orchard team but they hit us twice on the break and we were quickly 2:0 down, which none of us could believe and it got worse as we conceded a further two easy goals 4:0 down. What was going on? The lads rallied as usual and Sean got one back only for us to concede a fifth, and sixth. We were awarded a penalty which Sean coolly slotted home, this gave the lads a lift and we got another one back before half time (Sean again). 6:3 down at the break.

We did what we could to encourage the lads and tried to tell them to forget the first half and go out and just enjoy the second half. I don’t really know how or why but they took the game by the scruff of the neck and took the game to the opposition we pulled a goal back through Corey, Game on. The lads then put together one of the best moves to score what has to be one of the best goals I have ever seen at this level, there was great interplay between Sean S, Sean M, Adam, and a cool finish in the end from Corey. Sean got another one to level the scores. Cherry Orchard then hit back immediately to make it 7:6 and I have to say I really thought that that would knock them back a bit but oh no not these guys. To their credit they went straight back on the attack and got one back fairly quickly a fine long range strike from Adam and with their tails up they went ahead through a fine goal from who else Sean S, Corey then wrapped it up by putting us two ahead. Throughout the second half Ruaidhrí played like a man processed in goal, he was not letting anything by him, he was well protected by Hughie Ciaran and Luke, and the unsung heroes in midfield Sean M, Adam and Neil were super. What a game of football it finished 9:7 to Shankill. Six goals for Sean s wow.



 We played the semi final next against Mount Merrion and told the lads to try and not give the opposition an early lead as these were short 15 minute games and we wouldn’t have the time to get back into the game. But true to form we started slowly and let them score straight from the kick off, quickly followed by a second and third, 3 down? And then we woke up and took complete command of the game. We fought our way back in with two goals from Sean S and one from Corey and then time ran out. We lost the game on penalties which was a hard way to go out.

But we had to lift ourselves for a play off against you guessed it Cherry Orchard. This was a close game and never reached the intensity of the first game (which is just as well as I don’t think Adrian, Jim and I could of handled another game like that) Shankill dominated the early exchanges and took the lead through a fine strike from Corey, the game was very close with two well matched teams playing some excellent football. A fine move by Shankill was finished of well by Neil who struck the ball beautifully into the corner. We won 2:0 and left the tournament on a real high and on another day might have done even better, but there will be more tournaments and more semi finals and finals and we look forward to them.

The immense effort and work rate from each and every one of the lads was great to watch, all of them deserve great credit for their attitude and approach to the game. More than one coach enquired about how we got them to keep playing when they were behind and where their stamina comes from. I’ve said this on many occasions these guys are made of sterner stuff than most and they just never give up. But we take no credit for these players they do this themselves they have a desire to play the game that would be the envy of any Premier league team we only try and guide them, they have ability and the drive.

The lads came away from the tournament with great credit and received complements not only on their ability and style of play, but also on their behaviour throughout the day which was excellent.

This was very well run tournament and great credit must go to the organisers for their hard work in hosting it and also for the spirit in which the competition was played. The lads really enjoyed the event.
Heres looking forward the next tournament and to the restart of league football.

Derek, Adrian & Jim

A Big thanks to Sean Mulhall who helped us out on the final day.

PS: while we didn’t win this time out one of the lads did pick up a special award which was well deserved not only for his goal scoring but for his overall effort in all the games, he worked very hard for the team and spends as much time defending as he does attacking. Sean Schutte scored an amazing 11 goals in the group stages and received the golden boot award for his efforts. Well done Sean.Video