U12's win the Barcelona Football Festival
Terrific news from Barcelona today as our U-12s not only qualified for the Final but went on to be crowned Champions after a 2-0 victory over Spanish side Sabadell Nord FC.
After yesterday's performances which secured maximum points from 3 games today’s final two group matches didn’t start as well. Joe Corcoran’s young squad went down 2-0 to FCB Escola, Barcelona’s Youth Academy, in a game where they played well and were disappointed not to take something from it.
Nevertheless, still top of the table going into their final group game against Pro Direct Academy 1 the young Mallards still had a great chance of reaching the Final. After three minutes though they were already two goals down and it appeared to be slipping from their reach, until a resurgence of energy kicked in and a remarkable turnaround saw them score seven goals to win 7-3. A Daly Corcoran hat trick, a Stephen Drumm brace and one from Tom Kelly saw them finish top of the table in the most dramatic of circumstances.
In the Final, against the team that had finished level on points with them at the top of the table, goals from Stephen Drumm and Tom Kelly saw the young Mallards emerge victorious 2-0 to lift the prestigious trophy.
A remarkable few days for this group of young players who have represented our club so well. Warmest congratulations to each of them: Nick Collen, Daly Corcoran, Stephen Drumm, Adam Groogan, Codi Halligan, Daniel Hughes, Reuben Jentsch, Tom Kelly and Ben Ovens, and a huge well done also to Joe and his assistants Davy Hughes, Keith Collen, Matt Halligan and Ben Ovens.
This type of opportunity only comes about through huge commitment to the kids. The desire to see them grow and develop as young players drives us all on.
Huge congratulations also to Stephen Drumm who picked up the U-12 Player of the Tournament Award and to Adam Groogan as the goalkeeper for the side conceding the fewest goals.
Yesterday at the Nou Camp the mighty FC Barcelona celebrated winning La Liga....today though, Catalonia belongs to the Mallards!