Seven’s Football Tournament Saturday 8th February 2020
We had a phenomenal response to this year’s Football Sevens tournament when it was decided that the Tournament would be held in Memory of Dermot “Digger” Manley. Ninety two players from the Senior, Intermediate and Junior ranks were joined by Dermot’s brothers Sean and Paul, brother in Law Paddy Healy and friends.
The players were split into two Groups of four teams. Brian O’Regan, Tony Duffy and Donal Griffin did a great job in ensuring that the teams were made up of equal talent and ability. Group A contained Leitrim, Westmeath, London and Cavan with Group B comprising of New York, Tipperary, Sligo and Carlow.
What followed were eight well contested group games, which were held in Cherryfield Park and Pairc Uí Mhurchú. It was fantastic to see the players from the different club teams and codes gelling and competing well together. It was also good to see our Senior Manager, Anthony Rainbow contributing his skills, but at Anthony’s own admission, not between the sticks…
The Leitrim team of Alex Murphy, Brian Bobbett, Ciaran Doyle, Colm Dunne, Cormac Smyth, Fiachra Madden, Keith Sweeney, Mark O’Sullivan, Paddy Healy, Paul Dolan and Ryan Basquel topped Group A. With the Sligo team comprising of Ciaran Archbold, Colm Humphreys, James Holland, James O’Hara, Johnny Murphy, Manus Coughlan, Mikey Ryan, Mossie Nagle, Shane Hogan and Stephen McGrath topping Group B.
The final which was refereed by Donal Griffin, was keenly contested in Pairc Uí Mhurchú, with Sligo securing the Trophy on a score line 2 – 6 to 2 – 2.
It was to the showers and into the hall then before the tail end of storm Ciara arrived, for some welcome refreshments with Paddy Brady and his crew serving up a delicious meal.
Dermot’s father John presented the trophy, which was generously sponsored by Frank Brooks, to the captain of the Sligo team, Ciaran Archibald.
After some nice words and tributes to Dermot from Ciaran, Ciaran presented the Trophy back to John and the Manley Family.
John, on behalf of the Manley family, thanked the Club, the Football Committee and in particular the Players for making it such an enjoyable and special day. John went on to talk about Dermot and what Ballyboden St. Endas meant to him and to his family and the great friends that Dermot made down through the years in Ballyboden. What followed was a truly special and poignant moment with a standing ovation and a prolonged round of applause.
The committee would like to reiterate our appreciation to all of the Players, Mentors, Volunteers, the Catering and Bar staff and in particular John Madden, Tony Duffy, Brian O’Regan, Donal Griffin, Donal Monahan, Cathal O’Toole, Liam Carter, Denis Nagle, Frank Books, Tommy Flynn, Donie Kerin and James McGarry for making the day such a great success.
Is mise le meas,
Jack Nolan
