Charlesland’s Got Game

Scream no evil…

atest press release from the Charlesland Mini League, issued on Tuesday, August 6th 2024…

Saturday, August 3rd, saw the final day of the Charlesland Mini League take place in the estate, with participants and spectators basking in sunshine and celebrating football skills while sharing the spectacular sense of community in this neighbourhood.

The organising committee, who set the ambitious target of making each mini league better than the last, certainly delivered on their eighth undertaking of organising the prestigious event. Conceived back in 2016, the Charlesland Mini League has now doubled the number of participants.

Although football remains the focal point of the mini league, the event has become a festival of fun with a professional DJ, grill master Richie Smith, inflatable games for all the family, face-painting and hair styling and of course, just the general craic brought by all the friends and neighbours.

Such was the fun, Rocky the Seagull flew over from Bray Wanderers so that he could soak in the atmosphere and catch up with old friends.

There was a total of 72 football matches, across four competitive groupings, played throughout the week. Eighteen of these games took place on the final day, which saw three finals, two of which could only be decided by penalty shootouts. The finals were won by Ajax (intermediate boys), Argentina (older boys) and Netherlands (older girls).

The standard of football dazzled the crowd and all rivalries were left on the pitch after the final whistle.

Intermediate Boys Winners: Ajax – (coached by Charles Lambert & Tiernan Lynch) – Freddie Ward, James Sisley, Johan Thomas Joshy, Josh Synott Treanor, Lui Cole, Oisin O’Neill, Timothy Dawson.

Intermediate Boys Runners Up: Inter Milan – (coached by John McShane & Oscar Byrne) – Beau Coughlan, Connor Smith, Hari McCabe, Kai Pilkington, Kevin Flynn, Mason McShane, Stellan McShane.

Older Boys Winners: Argentina – (coached by Conor Byrne, Ollie Farrar & Tommy Ellard) – Alex Carroll, Alfie Doyle, Charlie Dodson, Conor Breen, David Flynn, Jan Farrar, Josh Reid, Noah Byrne, Scottie Tinsley, Tom Kennedy, Zach Moore€ Luke Barber, Rafa Scully, Rio Clarke, Senan Rowley.

Older Girls Winners: Netherlands – (coached by Lucy Reid & Sophie Tinsley) – Anabelle Rowley, Ciara Thomas, Grace Smyth, Ida Wolff, Izzy Breathnach, Katie Ward, Olivia Harney, Rose Hogan, Sophie Mitchell.

Older Girls Runners Up: Italy – (coached by Chloe Byrne & Freya Gustafsson) – Amelia Bordian, Aoibheann Dowdall, Caroline Mc Laughlin, Faye Luccato Redmond, Hannah Harrison, Lucia Brock, Makayla Albuquerque, Myá Milsana, Saoirse Brennan, Una Phelan.

Sponsors: BM Plumbing Solutions, Nikafit, Supervalu, The Vanilla Pod, Softworks, Stephen Roche Construction, SIS Pitches, Beauty is…, Energie Fitness, Domino’s Pizza, Lloyds Pharmacy, Petcare Vets, Phoenix Travel, Schnittger Bourne, Petra Property Management, Howard Recovery, South Beach Clinic, ATS Accountants, Lewis & Co Accountants, Little Explorers & Wood Alchemy.

Colum Tinsley of the committee said, “This week has been just amazing. Everybody got involved in some way and it is a great example of community spirit.”

Karl Mc Laughlin added that “after six months of planning, and with the invaluable support of all the sponsors of the Charlesland Mini League, its great to see such resounding success on the final day. The team spirit, the participation of players of all skill levels and the leadership of the youth coaches has been our measure of success in 2024.”

Chris Deegan said, “Cheers for the memories and thanks to all the organisers and the awesome coaches.”

David Brock added, “What an amazing week of football big thanks to all the organisers for such a super week. It’s where memories are made – magic week.”

And then everyone joined hands and sang Kumbaya, Messi. Probably.

Well done to the organising committee, Colum Tinsley, Karl Mc Laughlin, Wes Reid and Dean Carroll.

And thanks to Donall Farmer, Nicole Mc Laughlin, Karen Tinsley, the Reid lad and Niamh Cullen for the pics.

You can check out previous Charlesland Mini Leagues right about here.