The Umbro Cup 2009

Under 16 Premier

Following our exploits at The Galway Cup last year, the lads decided they wanted to return to the scene of the crime again this year. However our team will be competing at Under 16 this season and there was no category for our age group in the tournament.

After much deliberation, over many pints, on many Friday nights, (mostly talking about the crack last year) the committee was prevailed upon to enter the team at Under 17 level.

To a man the entire squad signed up to come to the tournament. And having heard how much the parents (hereinafter gofers) enjoyed the last trip 16 gofers were also to travel.

We all met at the club house at 11.30 on the 4^th August, all bar one, who thought we were travelling on the 5^th. Most of the cars were in convoy as far as the M50 after that it was every man for himself; a large black 4 wheel drive vanished into the distance. We all arrived at Base Camp by 3.00, except one car which stopped on the home straight (but that’s another story).

Base Camp was the 4 Star Ardilaun Hotel on Taylors Hill (Galway’s answer to D.4). I wondered if the hotel knew what they were letting themselves in for! The hotel was excellent; the facilities were brilliant swimming pool, hot-tub, sauna, steam room, and gym. There was also a well stocked area were the gofers could relax. According to the lads the only down side was two groups of kids running around the hotel (AKA Templeogue and Donegal Under 13s)

Our first match was lunchtime on Wednesday against Galway Hibernians which we lost 2-0. Our lads struggled with our new 3-5-2 formation, and maybe some tiredness from playing cards into the wee hours. The gofers agreed that had our lads slept in their own beds the night before we would have beaten Hibs. That night we all stayed in the hotel as our first match was at 9.30 on Thursday. Much to the gofers consternation the team ordered PIZZA deliveries to our 4 Star accommodation, we need not have worried the night porter was well used to this.

Roll call was set for 7.30 am, and much to the surprise of the few gofers who had mustered almost all of the team appeared for breakfast. One player reported sick, and indeed was that ill that he travelled home that afternoon. Again we were against local opposition, Salthill Devon. Two early goals cost us dear, and despite attacking for the remainder of the game it was a case of what might have been. Injuries were beginning to mount and we only had 12 players left.

Our afternoon match was against Belvo, from our own league. They appeared to have a squad of 18 fighting fit players. In the first half we had them on the back foot, with the lads coming to terms with the 3-5-2 formation, we certainly gave them a fright. In the second half they brought on several subs, our bench had nobody on it. In the end we lost 1-0. But it was a brave display.

That night we all had early dinners and went on the town. The lads to Salthill, the gofers to Quay Street. Curfew was set for 11.00 (wishful thinking! try getting a bunch of gofers home that early). The team were all back before 11.30, and Mr. Domino was called. The night porter would not divulge when the gofers got back. Suffice it to say several were late for breakfast.

We were now in the Plate Competition, and playing an American outfit called Sea Coast. Our guys looked fairly fresh considering, and easily bettered the yanks all over the park. Luckily we came out of the game with no new injuries, and the injured players were improving.

The gofers returned to Quay St. that night for a last hurrah, there was mention of air guitars and one man bands at breakfast. The lads returned to Salthill in preparation for the final against Confey, again they were back at the Hotel in time for Mr. Dominos arrival.

By kick off on Saturday illness had again depleted our squad, we barely had 11 fit players with the goalkeeper on the sideline, togged out, with a high temperature. In the end Confey were well beaten. The lads perked up when they received their trophy from the owner of the Ardilaun Hotel.

The trip home, in my car at least, was quiet. The only sound that interrupted the music was the snoring from the back seat.

All in all, it was a great trip. As a team bonding exercise, it was second to none, the lads ate, drank, swam, played, partied, and slept (another story) together. In fact they are already talking about next year. I don’t know if Galway is ready!

The parents who travelled also had a great time but are agreed that in order to perform to our true abilities regular training will have to be done on Friday nights.

Finally, once again, our young men did themselves, their parents and their club proud. Their behavior was exemplary, I did not hear an angry word spoken off  the field all week.

I had had the misfortune of going into one of the rooms, it looked very like my son’s at home. I couldn’t see the carpet !!