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Mourne River Soccer

Newry Gateway Wins Gold for Ulster

It started before Christmas when Siobhan Fitzpatrick, John Cunningham and Henry McDonald took 2 teams to the qualifying stages in Belfast. Unfortunately 1 team did not progress but there was success in the other group.

And so the time was nearing for Gateway to represent Ulster in the Special Olympic Games.

The Grassroots Centre through the Mourne River Soccer Initiative asked if they could assist the Gateway coaches in preparation for the Games.
The following sessions proved to be skilled and fun as the players demonstrated their abilities at Newry City FC.
They were ready!
The opening day was used for categorization and to see which league the Gateway would play.
They won three out three beating Connaught 2-1 Leinster 2-0 and Eastern 2-1

On a high they went into the first round of games proper, full of confidence.

Disaster!!! They were defeated by Eastern 3-1

The second game was going equally badly and at half time they were 2-0 down.But the spirit of the team and their skill which had been dormant, started to emerge and quick goals by Mathew Collins and Ben McClorey leveled things up and an set up an exciting climax where the Gateway took control winning 4-2

On day 2 the pressure was on and the Gateway had to win both games to secure a shot at the Gold medal.
And two very tough matches they were with all the teams in with a chance of the final.
The first match saw the Gateway score their first of two with only 5 minutes to play and although winning 2-0 it could have been a different outcome if Mathew Collins had not played a super game full of running and great dribbling skills.

The final and deciding game of the day was against the strongest opponent yet Eastern! The Gateway had to rely on the defensive experience of Veronica Donnelly and the playmaking of Ben McClorey to keep the strong Eastern side at bay.
Gary Martin and Donal McKay proved to be a handful for the defence and nearly combined twice but were denied by the Eastern keeper who was an inspiration.
It was when Eammon Cunningham came on that things changed and Mathew Collins was able to pick up a cut back ball and finish with ease.
But straightaway Eastern came back and a mix up in the Ulster defence gave away a goal. We had to wait for the closing 3 minutes when Lisa McNulty intercepted a ball outside the box and passed to Ben McClorey to finish and send the Gateway and Ulster into the final to play for Gold!!

Final Day!!

Excited, tense, expectant but most of all confident was the feeling as we lined up to be led out to the pitch. The support was load and plentiful with the Mayor Michael Carr and chairman Paddy Duffy there to cheer the players on.
First half there were few chances and only a super stop by Noel Rice kept the score at 0-0.
The second half exploded with chances going begging at either end and especially for Mathew Collins.
But it was he who scored first to calm everybody down and then virtually from the restart he latched on to a misplaced pass and made it 2-0 by rounding the keeper.
Eammon Cunningham was on hand to slot in a deflected shot at the far post to make it 3-0 with 6 minutes to go.
Ulster made 2 changes and it felt like a mistake had been made as Eastern quickly responded and scored not once but twice in 3 minutes. The pressure was now on to defend the goal lead but Mathew Collins was having none of this defensive thought and moved from a wide position into the center and when he collected the ball he dribbled around 3 players and the keeper to bring home Gold.

Letter of Offer

To all groups/clubs and schools.

Mourne River Soccer is part of the Newry and Mourne District Council and Irish FA initiative to promote soccer under the title of Grassroots Development Centre.
I as the Development Officer would like you all to contact Ciara Lowe or me to register your interest whether it is to coach young people with disabilities or for your leaders and volunteers to enrol on our coach education scheme.
This is an offer of free coaching sessions and assistance in helping you achieve your aims to promote sport in your clubs.
However the amount of free coaching and/or assistance is dependant on a structured development plan for your club.
The sessions can range from 1 taster session to several in preparing your players for competition.
The plans can be discussed or drawn up by Ciara or myself in accordance to your needs.
Please do not let this opportunity pass without your involvement and contact

Malcolm Roberts on 028 30313244
Or email malcolm.roberts@newryandmourne.gov.uk

Yours in Sport

Malcolm Roberts GDO

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