Council Chair hosts reception for Ballinamallard United Football Club’s Under 18 Team

Recently the Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, hosted as reception for Ballinamallard United Football Club’s Under 18 Team in recognition of winning the Harry Cavan Cup earlier this year.

The following is a copy of the speech made by the Chair at the reception:

Fellow Councillors, ladies and gentlemen and boys

As Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, I am delighted to welcome you all here to The Townhall, Enniskillen for this reception in honour of Ballinamallard United Football Club’s Under 18s Team and Harry Cavan Cup Champions.

The journey in the Harry Cavan Cup competition started for you with a home tie against Trojans YCG when you came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 thanks to goals from Danny Boyle and Danny Barker.

The next match saw you travel to Dunngannon United Youth where you had a comfortable 4-0 win with goals from Danny Barker, Danny Boyle, Ethan Abercrombie and Kealan Fitzpatrick.

I understand the quarter final was a tough encounter again Carrick Rangers Under 18s at their home ground.  Danny Barker was on the scoresheet again with one goal which was enough to see extra time and a dreaded penalty shootout.  You kept your nerve and won 5-4 with goals from Cameran Crook, Aaron Smyton, Adam Armstrong, Dylan Boyle and Liam Corry and two excellent saves by keeper Nathan Hunter.

The semi final was another close match again Maiden City at Stangmore Park in Dungannon.  With goals from Ben Arnold and Dylan Boyle, you deservedly earned your place in the Final.

The final was an excellent opportunity for you as it was played at Windsor Park in Belfast.  Your opponents were Cliftonville Strollers and once again the match went to extra time despite come excellent opportunities for you in normal time.  For the second time in the competition, the match went to a penalty shootout.  Once again, keeper Nathan Hunter kept his cool, made some great saves and you emerged victorious winning 3-1.

This was an excellent achievement for you as a team and also for the Club as this is the third time the Cup has come to Ferney Park.

Being part of a football team has many benefits including being active, making friends, having fun and getting the opportunity to travel to the various matches.  As well as teaching you football skills, it also teaches you valuable life skills in terms of listening, being a team player, following instructions, being resilient and trying to strive for success.

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that our people are healthy and well physically, mentally and emotionally and sports clubs such as Ballinamallard United help us to achieve this.

I would like to congratulate Ballinamallard United on your success at all levels of football and for providing excellent opportunities for our young people to learn and compete at top levels in the game.

I would like to commend the Manager Ryan Beacom and Coaches Mark Stafford, Gareth Clendinning, Andy Seaney and Jerome Carleton for your work and commitment to the team and to the Club.  I also want to thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with these young boys to allow them to have the opportunity to compete and realise their potential on the football field.

I would like to commend the team on your commitment to attend training and the various matches whilst also completing your studies at school.

On behalf of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and on my own behalf, I would like to congratulate you on winning the prestigious Harry Cavan Cup and for your other successes to date.  I would like to wish you every success for the future and I am confident that we will see you name on the Senior Team Sheet in years to come.

Thank you.