Moate Community Centre played host to this year’s CCFL Futsal blitz with Mountmellick Utd, the defending Cup champions, looking to defend their title against Riverside and Raharney A and B. The inaugural shield final also up for contention.
As with last years competition, the action was fast paced and some lovely passages of play were on display from all involved. Mountmellick didn’t seem to lose a step from last season’s competition as Mark Grennan and co set out their stall early on with fluid flowing football and tasty finishing.
Riverside came with a game plan and were well drilled to give Mountmellick problems and in what was the game of the competition. Riverside lost out on a well-deserved point from a late Shane O’Connell goal. Riverside’s Dylan Kidney worked tireless up front pressing and Javi Guenzi was outstanding in work rate and goals throughout the day.
Raharney A and B would come to contest the Shield final and in a fine spirited game, the B’s would walk away with the shield with some fine finishing and some excellent goalkeeping from young Chris Sleator to help take the title.
The final would be contested by a rematch of Riverside and Mountmellick. Riverside would go out with the same strategy to frustrate Mountmellick and for the majority it seems to be paying off until Mountmellick found their stride and went on to retain their cup title.
With some wonderful football being played, it did seem to be a tournament for the goalkeepers. Mark Goodwin, Chris Sleator, Stefan McRedmond and Daniel Melhorn all put on fine goalkeeping displays and were a credit to their teams.
The CCFL would like to thank Moate Community Hall for hosting us today and also thanks to Paul Malone and Martin Kelly of the Midland and Offaly Refereeing branches respectively for their officiating the of the competition.
Congratulations to the winners and we hope to see all the teams and more next year.
