UEFA Under 16 Development Tournament launched in Castlebar
THE UEFA Under 16 Development Tournament taking place in Mayo from May 15 to 25 has been officially launched.
A total of 12 men and women's Under 16 matches will be held throughout the county involving the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, Denmark, Lithuania and Kosovo.
The games will take place in Solar 21 Park (Milebush), Ballina Town, Manulla and Westport United, while the teams will train in Ballyglass, Castlebar Celtic, Kiltimagh/Knock United and Snugboro United.
Republic of Ireland Under 16 men's coach Paul Osam said they were delighted to be coming to Mayo for this tournament. “I have been here on a number of occasions with soccer teams and the facilities you have to offer are top class,” he said at yesterday's launch in Mayo County Council's offices at Cedar House, Moneen, Castlebar.
“The venues are excellent and the training facilities are top class. With all the teams staying in Breaffy House Hotel, I know from past experience they will be extremely well cared for and well looked after.
“On the soccer side of things it will be a very good tournament. Tournaments like this give the younger players starting out on their careers the understanding of what's required at the top level and shows them the standard that is required to play at international level.
“One word I would give any young player who feels he might have a career in professional soccer is to take everything slowly in their progression and not be in any hurry of crossing the sea until they are ready.
“Most important of all is that these young soccer players finish their education first. So many go to England hoping they will turn out to be be professional soccer players, but the stats show that the majority don't make and most have to return home.”
MC for the launch, Neil Sheridan of Mayo County Council, expressed thanks to the FAI for choosing Mayo to host this tournament and gave a special welcome to the repersentatives of the FAI, Mayo Football League and the different organisers of the tournament. He also paid a special welcome to Paul Osam and Sharon Boyle, coach of the Republic of Ireland Under 16 ladies.
Mr. Sheridan's Mayo County Council colleague, Joanne Grehan, said they were thrilled to be involved with the hosting of such a prestigious event.
“It promises to be a very exciting 10 days,” she added. “Not alone will it bring a big international soccer tournament to the county, but it is will internationally show what Mayo as a county has to offer in terms of venues and training facilities.
“With all the teams staying in the renowned Breaffy House Hotel, one can see that everything possible has been done to make these international teams' stay in the county a most pleasant and memorable experience.
“I want to wish all the teams, coaches and management a stay in Mayo they will never forget and again thank everyone who has worked so hard to make this tournament the success I know it will be.”
Ms. Grehan was loud in he praise for the hard work that Mr. Sheridan and Mayo Sports Partnership members Charlie Lambert, Anne Ronayne, Ray McNamara, Anna Connor and Padraig Durcan have already to put into this major sporting event.