FINGAL ATHLETIC WIN NOEL PEACOCK TROPHY IN PENALTY SHOOTOUT

Swords based soccer club Fingal Athletic won the first ever Noel Peacock invitational football tournament in a penalty shootout on Saturday, 19 July 2008. The tournament took place in Rivervalley and included senior football teams including two teams from Ashbourne United, two from Fingal Athletic FC, one from Griffith Rovers and one from the Dublin Airport Authority (Formerly Aer Rianta).

The presentation of the trophy to the winning captain, Ciaran Murray, took place in Peacock’s Steakhouse who sponsored the event and provided all players with free food and drink after the tournament. Fingal Athletic Chairman David Gibney was delighted with the outcome of the tournament, “The tournament was a great success with a high standard of football being played by all the participating teams. I’d like to thank Noel Peacock who sponsored the event and made the competition a possibility.”

The tournament was organised by Fingal Athletic and the club intend on hosting the event on an annual basis. “Hopefully next year we’ll be able to attract even more local clubs to participate,” said Mr Gibney.

There were six teams involved in the tournament which was broken into two groups of three. All teams played each other twice and the top team in each league progressed to the final.

Group one included Ashbourne A, Griffith Rovers FC and Fingal Athletic A.  Fingal Athletic A progressed following a closely fought campaign resulting in goal difference deciding between them and Finglas based Griffith Rovers. Both clubs ended up on nine points but Fingal’s goal difference was slightly better with +3 while Griffith Rovers was +2.

Group two included Fingal Athletic B, Dublin Airport Authority and Ashbourne B. Fingal Athletic B progressed after winning three of their fixtures and losing just one game. Ashbourne B came a close second with seven points.

The final was a closely fought game with Fingal Athletic A taking the lead through a wonderful Ross Traynor strike. Fingal Athletic B came back through Conor Pearce who equalised in the last minute resulting in a penalty shoot out.

Declan Eivers missed the opening penalty for Fingal B which was saved by the goalkeeper who guessed correctly. Aaran Rafter for Fingal Athletic A scored to make it 1-0. Jonathan Regan stepped up for Fingal B but again his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper. Fingal Athletic A missed two penalties including a miss from the tournament top scorer Tim Sullivan. Fingal Athletic A scored the remainder of their penalties through Michael Gallagher, Aaran Rafter and Hugh Smith and the tournament was decided when David Greene missed for Fingal B.

Fingal Athletic A manager, Ger Coughlan said after the tournament that he was very proud of all his players. “They all worked so hard and gave it everything. We knew the tournament was going to be tough but the standard was exceptionally high. I think the fact that Fingal Athletic had two teams in the final shows the quality of players we have in the club. Hopefully this can help springboard the club to further success this year.”

Player of the tournament was selected independently by the three referees and went to Ciarán Murray who played for Fingal Athletic A. The top scorer trophy was awarded to Tim Sullivan with four goals.

Fingal Athletic FC is a relatively new football club playing in the AUL leagues. They have won promotion almost every season and now have two teams playing in Division 1 Saturday and Division 1 Sunday. New players are welcome to join and can contact the club through Jonathan Reagan on 086 8774862.

For further information please contact: 
David Gibney – Chairperson (087) 7992480.