Ballymoney kids go Dutch

RECENTLY a party of 34 from Ballymoney Youth Academy consisting of players and parents under the guidance of Joe Gun (Davy Cunningham), Terry Barton and Mark Coyle set off to Holland to play in the Holland Easter Open Soccer Tournament.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Apr 2010, 17:11 BST
Updated 26th Apr 2010, 11:25 BST

Due to inclement weather conditions, arrangements had to be altered and the party had to have an overnight stay in Newcastle England.

Tour organisers Kenny Brogan and Andrea Cunningham quickly organised a tour of the Newcastle United ground St James Park to everyone’s delight.

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After visiting and seeing the former haunt of Shearer, McDonald, Robson and co the party set sail for an overnight journey to Holland and arrived at the tournament’s destination Arcen.

On the first day of competition the U13’s entered a group with two teams from Holland and one from Denmark.

In their opening match against SCE (Nederlands) the team performed well and took control and went 2-0 up but SEC hit back to equalise at 2-2.

However the young lads showed character and completed the contest with two further goals to win 4-2.

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In the second group match they entertained Greve (Denmark) and won comfortably 2-0 in a one-sided affair.

In the final group match Ballymoney outclassed another dutch side SC St Hubert 6-0 to win the group with maximum points and move into the winner’s group stages.

There were two winners’ groups and Ballymoney U13’s had to play a team from England, Nederland’s and Denmark. In the opening match of this group Ballymoney played English side Whetstone Wanderers Lions from London. With two minutes remaining Ballymoney were 2-1 up but a dubious penalty let Whetstone in to equalise.

In the second match against Danish opponents Hammerum both teams were deadlocked at 1-1 and in the final match Ballymoney got a well deserved win 3-0 against Dutch opposition Toxandrive.

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When the points were added together Ballymoney finished second in the group and a very respectable third place overall, while Whetstone Wanderers Lions went on to win the tournament outright.

Manager Joe Gun and his wife Andrea would like to thank everyone involved in the preparation for the trip, the parents who went to Holland, coach drivers Kenny and Dessie for their professional approach and craic and to Jim Bean for his valuable involvement.

Related topics:Holland