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CASTLEKNOCK CELTIC MINI WORLD CUP 2016 – “IN A FLASH”
“They came, they saw and they enjoyed themselves”. Well if that’s true then we were a success. For 5 days in Porterstown we had a festival of football and fun. The Footballing Gods were kind to us for the first three days but the Rain came thundering down on Friday followed by sporadic showers of torrential rain on Saturday. Not ideal but ironically it perhaps helped to emphasise the Spirit of the Mini World Cup which is all about Community as despite poor weather the Children and their Supporters remained to the end and all with smiles on their faces.
All in all we played 128 games (YES ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY EIGHT) and there were thrills and spills everywhere.
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ï‚· The “Non-Competitive” Years – We say “Non-competitive” but try telling that to all the Players who gave 110% all the time. The 08’s and 09’s gave us the most fun while the 07 and 06’s showed us how quickly the Players improve with the help of Coaching . Meanwhile the 2005 category was thrilling with every game evenly contested and never more than a goal or two in a game.
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ï‚· The “Big Boys”
o 2004 -> What a competition. Evenly matched everywhere. There was fierce excitement on
Friday night when in torrential rain Nigeria qualified for the Semi’s with 2 goals in the last 5 minutes. Each goal was greeted by roars while Coach Jack Bradshaw did a “Jose Mourinho” down the line. In a classic final even Nigeria could not dislodge the team that call themselves “Class on Grass” aka Morocco who edged it 2-1. Magnificent stuff.
o 2003/2 -> This was for many their last year and they were keen to make it count. In qualifying only one point separated 3,4,5 and 6th. In keeping with all the close matches it went to Peno’s with Chile staying the “coolest” to win 7-6.
Our finals days saw Min Leo Varadkar, TD’s Jon Burton and Jack Chambers kindly give of their time to present all our participants with Medals, Trophies and Prizes. A special thanks to our dignitaries for helping to create special memories.
But Football is only part of the story as there were stories all over the place. One Parent, with 4 children playing at different ages, commented while observing a fun moment in a 2003 game “sure it’s wonderful,all the children look forward to the Mini World Cup. It’s a real Community Event”. This was re-emphasised by the Goodwill experienced all week. A special mention to Paul Morgan who represents the Club’s U15’s. Paul came down on Saturday to watch and with all the turmoil from the rain offered to help with the BBQ and shop spending all Day on duty. Thanks Paul –much appreciated.
The “Spirit of the Mini World Cup” was perhaps best emphasised by young Joshua Evans who played for Peru in the 2004 Group. Joshua has Spina Bifida but nothing and nobody would stop him from playing. Joshua just wanted, like all the children, to participate and to have fun – he achieved both. Magnificent.
As you know the Mini world Cup is a non-Profit making event and we are dependent on the BBQ and some kind donations to cover the shortfall on the Childrens Gifts. Thankfully the BBQ was a success and with some contributions, including a kind donation from Lloyd Daly (Lloyd Daly & Assoc Auctioneers) we achieved our goals.
Finally the Mini World Cup only works in everyone helps out and this year there were many. Special mention to Philip and Ainle Zambra who were always there and always available. To Gerry Cummins and his crew for presenting Porterstown so well. To the Co-ordinators who helped look after the relevant age Groups and to all our Volunteer Coaches we say well done and thanks.
All in all a BIG THANK YOU to everyone involved. Without your support it doesn’t work.
After 128 games and many weeks work we bid farewell to the Class of 2016 and look forward with
excitement to next year's Class of 2017. Take Care and Enjoy your summer
