Willie Rogers Under 12 Tournament 2008
A day of warm and pleasant sunshine saw Father Tierney Park play host to the under 12s of Aodh Ruadh, Bundoran, Melvin Gaels and Erne Gaels as they competed in the annual Willie Rogers tournament.
After a tight and competitive round robin section Erne Gaels topped the table with Aodh Ruadh second, putting the pair through to the 'A' final. Aodh Ruadh, with the benefit of the breeze in the first half, began the final briskly with a quick fire goal. Goal-keeper turned full forward, Kevin Warnock, collected a long pass and had the ball in the net on the 30 second mark. Erne Gaels rallied well though and took the game to Ballyshannon and the game ebbed and flowed for a period. A certain amount of apprehension seeped through Aodh Ruadh ranks as the first half wore on, as the benefit of substantial backing wind was not being made to count. A well-taken Philip Patton point on seven minutes helped steady nerves. Having weathered a sustained bout of Ballyshannon pressure Erne Gaels were suckered badly just before the end of the half when once again Kevin Warnock collected a long ball and goaled. That was compounded when Oisín Roper collected the ball from the kick out and swept over an excellent point. Leading by 2-2 to no score at half time Aodh Ruadh still had a considerable amount to do before they could reclaim the Willie Rogers trophy. Erne Gaels began the second half well and after two minutes Brian Shaw delivered Belleek's first score of the final. A couple of minutes later Conor Murphy concluded a fine Erne Gaels move with a second point. It was to be Belleek's last score of the final. Aodh Ruadh captain Matthew Maguire marshaled a superb Ballyshannon rearguard action in the second half and Erne Gaels lacked the necessary penetration to circumvent it. With two minutes of time left Aodh Ruadh got the score of the match. A neat series of interchange passes was finished by Shane McGrath who took an excellent point. When the final whistle went moments later Aodh Ruadh had secured the Willie Rogers trophy on a scoreline of 2-3 to 0-2.
Willie Rogers son Gavin was on hand to present runners up medals to a gallant Erne Gaels side. Rene Rogers, Willie's wife, presented the Willie Rogers trophy to the winning captain, Matthew Maguire of Aodh Ruadh.
Aodh Ruadh would like to extend their sincere thanks to the participating teams, to those who officiated the matches, those who provided the refreshments, the stewards and to all those who gave of their time and effort to make the event such a success.
| Round Robin Results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Father Tierny Park | |||
| Aodh Ruadh | 3-2 | Melvin Gaels | 1-1 |
| Bundoran | 1-2 | Erne Gaels | 2-1 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 4-0 | Bundoran | 2-2 |
| Melvin Gaels | 0-2 | Erne Gaels | 0-3 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 2-3 | Erne Gaels | 3-2 |
| Bundoran | 0-3 | Melvin Gaels | 1-1 |
| Round Robin League Table | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Team | Won | Lost | Points |
| Erne Gaels | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Aodh Ruadh | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Melvin Gaels | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Bundoran | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Willie Rogers Final | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Aodh Ruadh | 2-3 | Erne Gaels | 0-2 |
The Bundoran team which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Melvin Gaels team from Kinlough, County Leitrim which took part in the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
The Erne Gaels team from Belleek, County Fermanagh which contested the final of the Willie Rogers Under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Aodh Ruadh celebrate after victory in the Willie Rogers under 12 tournament in Ballyshannon last Saturday.
Aodh Ruadh’s winning captain, Matthew Maguire, receives the Willie Rogers trophy from Renee Rogers.
Report Filed: 27 May 2008