Our U11 (2014) Boys squad were represented at the Kitty Halpin Memorial tournament today which was hosted by Shannon Hibernians.
Drawn in a very tough group with St Brendan’s Park (Tralee), Everton AFC (Cork) and Tulla Utd, the boys came through undefeated with 2 wins and a draw. This was enough to finish joint top of the group and book a semi final spot. Bridge played tournament hosts Shannon Hibs in a tense semi final where we were taken all the way to pens following a 2-2 draw. In a remarkable performance between the posts, Jake McCarthy saved four penalties in the shootout to secure our passage to the final against St Brendan’s Park. Having taken the lead twice in the final we were paired back on both occasions by the Kerrymen. Despite creating a host of chances in a strong second half performance we just could not find the winner and so it was the dreaded penalty shootout to decide the outcome of the tournament.
Both sides scored all of their regulation 3 pens before St Brendans’s eventually came out on top in sudden death.
Despite the disappointment of losing the final on sudden death it was a great day out and a very impressive showing from our U11s. Congratulations to the winners St Brendan’s and a massive thanks to Damian Halpin, the Halpin Family and Shannon Hibs for organising this fantastic tournament. Thanks also to the four refs Dermot Kirby, Kyle Kirby, Mike Darcy and JP Buckley who did a super job today.
Whilst we were only able to bring 12 players today from our overall squad, next week will provide another taste of tournament action for the full squad as Bridge Utd are hosting the inaugural “Super Sevens” tournament on the Shannon Road.
MATCH RESULTS
Group A
BUFC 0-0 St Brendan’s Park (Tralee)
BUFC 4-0 Tulla Utd
Loughlin Downes⚽️⚽️
Conor Murphy ⚽️
John MacDonnacha ⚽️
BUFC 4-2 Everton (Cork)
Rhys Touhy ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Loughlin Downes⚽️
Semi Final
BUFC 2-2 Shannon Hibs
Loughlin Downes ⚽️
Rhys Touhy⚽️
(Pens 2-1 to BUFC - Matthieu Purcell⚽️, Joe Madden ⚽️& Jake McCarthy with 4 saved pens!)
Cup Final
BUFC 2-2 St Brendan’s Park
Rhys Touhy ⚽️
John MacDonnacha⚽️
(Pens 3-4 Matthieu Purcell ⚽️, Joe Madden ⚽️, Rhys Touhy⚽️)
Player of the Tournament
Jake McCarthy
After the tournament, Damian Halpin presented the Bridge boys with their runners up medals and the trophy for overall player of the tournament was awarded to Jake McCarthy.
The players that took part in today’s tournament were
Jake McCarthy, Donagh Murphy, Evan Flannery, Joe Madden, Dan Reidy, Finn Toomey, Rhys Touhy, Matthieu Purcell, Michael Gilligan, John MacDonnacha, Conor Murphy & Loughlin Downes
Jake McCarthy receives Player of the Tournament from Damian Halpin
Bridge Captain for the day Evan Flannery with St Brendan’s captain and referee Dermot Kirby Rhys, Loughlin and Conor celebrate a goal versus Tulla
