Mallow United U14 Boys were crowned Football Cup Barcelona Winners 2019 last Sunday after a busy two days in sun drenched Salou in Catalonia. Mallow arrived at the tournament with modest expectations after last year’s U14 Boys finished runners up in the competition in 2018. The tournament which attracts top clubs from Europe and beyond took the format of 4 groups of 4 teams followed by semi-finals and finals. Mallow opened the group stage on Saturday with a 0-0 draw against Lurgan Town FC and then followed that up with a 2-1 win against French side FC Crolles Bernin with Donnchadh Barrett and Jerry Cronin on the score sheet for Mallow. The boys then went on to meet Los Amigos from Paraguay in a battle for top of the group where a 4-1 win saw Mallow finish in pole position and progress to the semi-finals with the goals coming from Shane Cronin, Anthony Jenks x 2 and Jerry Collins getting his 2nd of the tournament. With an overnight rest Mallow took to the field against Foyle Harps from Northern Ireland in hot conditions in Sundays semi-finals. Anthony Jenks was on the score sheet again for Mallow who battled hard for a 1-1 draw. It was Mallow goal keeper Denis Mulcahy who was the hero saving 3 penalties as Mallow progressed to the final in a shoot-out. In the final on Sunday evening Mallow were up against Spanish side CEF Bosc de Tosca and despite end to end action the deadlock could not be broken with the tie finishing 0-0. Penalties were required again to decide the outcome and it was the Mallow boys who kept their cool to claim the title.
Having overcome opponents from throughout Europe and South America the boys did themselves, their families, Mallow and Ireland proud with their performances in Barcelona last weekend.
Well done to the boys, coaches Sean Dilworth and Billy O Keeffe and the supporters who made the trip. A special mention for Alan O’Connell who was named player of the tournament.
Mallow United would like to thank sponsors Mulcahys Pharmacy and Duggan Steel for their support for the trip and EPS who are kit sponsors for the team.
Mallow United Squad: Noah O’Connell, Alan O’Connell, Shane Cronin, Denis Mulcahy, Jerry Collins, Cormac Dilworth, Billy O’Keeffe, Donnchadh Barrett, Liam Walsh, Andrew Sheehan, Anthony Jenks, Jamie O’Neill, Cory Buckley, Niall Burke.
Location
Salou, Barcelona
Comments --