SEATOWN FC’s magnificent run to the final of the under 16 B section of the Gothia Cup came to an end last week when they were narrowly beaten 2-1 by SKILJEBO SK from Stockholm.
The Gothia Cup is a prestigious FIFA affiliated tournament which is open to all national associations. Over 1600 teams participate in various underage sections with representatives from over 70 countries taking part.
Brian McGuinness who managed the side along with Niall McGuinness and John McKenny was obviously thrilled with the boys success.
“We are really proud of the lads and the efforts they put in to make the final” said a delighted John.
“All games at the tournament were 25 minutes each way but they were played in really hot conditions which made it very difficult for the players.
We played eight games to reach the final, playing teams from Norway, Sweden, England, Brazil and France but the ninth game proved to be one too many in a week that will never be forgotten by the lads”, he added.
In an amazing sequence of games after the original first three group games Seatown beat five teams after penalties, ‘keeper Fergal Sheekey was the hero saving an amazing 10 penalties and he saved one during normal time in the first of the group games.
The actual Seatown team that travelled to Sweden are all players from different clubs in the Dundalk Schoolboys League and only got together after just four weeks ago after a request was made through FACEBOOK advertising for players interested in travelling to the tournament, the first 16 players that answered the call were the lucky ones who made up the squad.
The team who travelled to Gothia were: Aaron Boyle, Adam Shields, Alan Dunne, Ciaran McKeown, Connor Kirk, Cormac McCartney, Daniel Rice, Fergal Sheekey, Jordan Mackin, John Byrne, Josh Curtis Larkin, Luke McArdle, Sean Mathews, Sean McGeough, Stephen Sharkey and Ryan Washington. Managers Brian McGuinness, John McKenny and Niall McGuinness.
The opening Ceremony at the Gothia Cup is held at the Nya Ullevi Stadium in Gothenburg before a crowd of 55,000 people.
The ceremony is a two hour long show of music,show,dancing and fireworks and the presentation of the participating 74 nations is the standing feature of the show.
Seatown represented Ireland at the ceremony and Ciaran McKeown had the honour of carrying the Irish flag and leading the team into the stadium.
