Busy Weekend At Cobh Garda District Soccer Blitz 2012

The group that took part in the U18 Tournament

The on-off weather conditions this year were never going to be an attraction at the 2012 Cobh Garda District Soccer Blitz, and once again it was the talent of hundreds of local kids that shone through over this year’s three-day event, which was run by local Community Garda, Eric McCarthy, Willie O’Hanlon (Ex Cobh Wanderers) and former Cobh Ramblers stalwart Wim Van Wijnen, colleagues and volunteers, in conjunction with local soccer clubs.

Upwards of 400 children and teenagers took part in the event this year and according to Garda McCarthy, ‘The event is getting bigger and bigger as the years go by. I’ve heard many stories from days gone by about how big the Blitz used to be and I hope that the current tournament is beginning to size up to those of old’.

U18 Winners - King Wobblers

‘This blitz goes on every year over a weekend in August and this year we were short of a bob or two so put a feeler out to some local businesses and they came up trumphs for us. Our sincere gratitude goes out to Carl Conneely of Supermacs, Pat O’Shea (Commodore Hotel), Andrew Carley of Carley’s Electrical. Noel & Margaret of the Quays Bar, and last but mot least Miriam Hally & Stephen Vaughan of the Ballynoe Inn. Without the support of these people we may have had to let the kids down in terms of prize giving. Once again I thank you all’.

U18 Runners-up - 9 Friends & Pringle

Cork City player Davin O’Neill who supports this event every year, could only make a brief appearence this time around as Cork City were due to play English side Blackburn Rovers at 2.00pm on the Sunday. However, speaking to Davin he mentioned that during his brief appearence on Saturday ‘The future looks great for Cobh in terms of footballing talent. It just gets better year after year and I’m sorry I couldn’t have spent as much time there this year as in previous ones, but duty for Cork City calls and when that bell rings you gotta go’.

Winners of this year’s under 18’s were King Wobblers who took the glory over runners-up 9 Friends & Pringle

Eric McCarthy presents Alan O'Flynn with the U18 Player Of The Tournament

Eric McCarthy presents King Wobblers captain Sam Stapleton with the U18 trophy

Young Mr Twomey who kept the place spotlessly clean over the weekend