THE REAL WORLD CUP
Saturday, June 24th, 2006.
2 Pitches, 8 Teams, 49 Kids and a whole load of fun
Tired of the lacklustre performance of the teams in Germany, the younger Ratoath Harps players decided they could do better and staged their own world cup in the world famous Neukampf (Ratoath branch) Stadium on the Skryne Road.
Saturday morning's rain was a cause for concern as organisers Alan Murphy and Padraig McMahon met at 9:00 a.m. for pitch inspection and set up duties.
Torrential rain and gray skies as far as the eye could see put the event in doubt right up to minutes before the scheduled one o' clock start. However, someone must have been saying prayers, because to the relief of the organisers and the delight of the kids the weather improved just in time.
The plan was not to give existing teams a run out but instead to get the kids, including a few new faces, to mix up and make new friends. The registration process, overseen by Ratoath's very own lollipop lady, Eileen Stowe, placed the kids at random onto one of eight teams. Managers were a mixture of Harps coaches, interested parents and even some of the players from older teams. An eclectic mix ensued but it all added to the fun.
Paul Lanigan and Dave Gibson were the brave referees who oversaw the games and kept the peace as eight and nine year olds showed that they had also mastered the intricate prima donna soccer skills of arguing and hissy fits.
Using two pitches the competition kicked off as Germany met England and Argentina took on Italy. With small sides and modified rules the emphasis was on fast and furious football. The first round was played on a league basis with each team having several matches to show their merit. At the end of the first round four teams, France, Ecuador, Brazil and Spain went forward into the semi finals and the pressure was really on.
This round was on a knockout basis so the teams had to give it their all to earn a place in the final. First through was France with a difficult win over Ecuador and they were soon joined by Brazil. The runners up then met to fight it out for 3rd and 4th positions with Spain overcoming Ecuador in a very close match.
The final was a tense affair with all the other teams now very, very vocal spectators. France scored first and then again and again and again. At half time the score was 4 - 0 and it looked like it was all over for Brazil. Whatever manager Stephen Rigley said to his team at half-time should have been recorded and bottled as his less-tanned Brazilian stars came out fighting from the tip-off. The ball wasn't seen much near the Brazilian goal for the rest of the match but the French goal seemed to have a Star Trek forcefield protecting it as the ball hit the posts time after time.
This only encouraged Brazil to try harder and eventually they were rewarded with a goal by David Murphy. The Ratoath Brazilians kept the pressure up and added another two to their score. The tension rose as full time approached. Spectators screamed, managers roared and the two teams played their hearts out. Then, as befitting the Real World Cup, a last minute score, again from David Murphy, brought the teams level.
The rules provided for penalties in the event of a full time draw and, with infinite care and solemnity, referee Paul Lanigan positioned the two teams. After the toss, France were first to shoot. The pressure on both goalies was obvious with spectators making a noise that could probably be heard in Munich. Each goalie also had to take a penalty and in the process get some revenge for their own earlier treatment. After the twelfth shot was taken Brazil were declared World (or at least the important part of it that is Ratoath) champions.
Officiating at the awards ceremony was Paul Sheridan FAI Regional Development Officer (South East) who complimented all teams on their performance and the club on the effort involved in organising the event. Medals were presented to all participants, including the managers, trophies were awarded to the winners and runners-up and, finally, a special award. Throughout the competition the referees and organisers had kept track of play and unanimously decided that Gary Duggan, who plays weekly for the Harps under 8's DDSL side, was the most valuable player and Gary added a special trophy to his runners-up prize. All the kids received a goodies bag on their way home but most were more interested in when the next Harps' competition was going to happen.
The day was a great success thanks to the managers, referees, parents, the club and above all the kids themselves.
Organisers
Alan Murphy
Padraig McMahon
Managers
Michael Connolly
Damien Ward
Dylan Kiely
Doug Gibson
Stephen Wrigley
Joe Hartnett
Shane Griffin
Gary Eiffe
Referees
Paul Lanigan
Dave Gibson
Registrar
Eileen Stowe
