Apologies for the late arrival of the promised diary.
That great seat of learning,Aberystwyth University,could not provide internet access at least to us mere plebs. It was only available for academic purposes. Sure isn’t this some education!
So after some high level negotiation,some sweet talking from Terry,a donation of some chocolate and at last we hope that we are on the air!
Day 1 - Sunday 20th July 2008
It was a very early start. 3.50am for a 4.00am departure!
All were present and all were in good spirits looking forward to the experience. Two expectant busloads left for Rosslare with the players and some parents on one bus with the rest of the parents and families on the other bus. The players all looked well in their tracksuits.
On the way down we watched a DVD of the Athlone Town –v- AC Milan match. Aidey should have taken the penalty! Then we watched a DVD of the Athlone Town-v- KB Copenhagen match. All the lads got a laugh seeing Mickey on the telly but they were also quietly very impressed. However they obviously never taught the difference between a direct and an indirect free-kick in the Academy he was on!
The crossing was uneventful. A few of the lads were in the kids magic show. A few more were badly beaten up by a few toddlers in the kiddies play area while Jack cleaned up in the Amusement Arcade.
On arrival in Wales we had just over an hours drive to get to Aberystwyth. We spent that time watching a DVD of the ADSL Under-11 Final with some of the lads taking turn on commentary on the bus microphone. Aidey and Nicky were the best but George Hamilton will not be retiring for a while yet.
A hush fell over the bus as we pulled into Aberyswyth University. We knew that this was going to be something special. We checked into our accommodation and were allocated our rooms. Immediately the wheeling and dealing started as mattresses and furniture were moved up,down and around the place. The rooms are ok. Basic enough but ok.
Then we went for grub. It was good and everyone was hungry. After we got ready for the Opening Ceremony. The Parade was cancelled and the Ceremony was moved into a big Hall. We were each given an Irish flag and headed off. Once inside the Hall we just took over. “De Athlone” got a good few airings as did “Ireland’s Call” and “The Fields”. We also started the wave. It was great fun and a great atmosphere. It was great to see so many teams from so many different countries. The atmosphere was only great and we cannot wait now for the football to start.
When we got back to the rooms we had a talk from the managers about what was expected from the week and the two squads,the “Athlone ‘81” and “Athlone ‘83” Teams were announced. The players were told that this week was all about learning and development and improving as players. There is no great pressure to win but an expectation to perform and do all the things that we have worked on in training and in the Academy for the last nine months.
We can’t wait to start.
Day 2 - Monday 21st July
We were got up early and down for breakfast just after 8.00am. We were all given our gear the night before and then off to the playing pitches. Wow! 20 brillant pitches and if we thought that we were in something big we now knew it.
Athlone 81 first in action in the 8-a-side competition.
Athlone ’81 3 : Simla Youngs (India) 0
What a great start. Nicky scored our first goal finishing Aidey’s cross at the back post and also made the first entry in the “Goal Celebration Competition”. Aidey then got a second just before half time to lead 2-0.
Into the second half Nicky scored a great goal. He beat three defenders on the endline before striking the ball low to the net for 3-0 and an early contended for goal of the competition. Paddy then hit the post and Jack rattled the crossbar to round off a good win and a great start.
The Athlone ’83 then did even better.
Athlone ’83 8 : Buckhead Atlanta (USA) 0
Cathal got off to a flyer with a hat-trick for our first three goals. Damo also hit the crossbar before Evan made it 4-0 and then Fletch made it 5-0 all before half time.
Into the second half Eric made it 6-0 just after the restart. Cody then scored the best goal of the match to finish a great passing move that summed up all that we taught to do. Lee then hit the crossbar before Fletch completed the rout with his second goal.
It was two very happy teams that then headed off for lunch with two more games each in the afternoon to include our first 11-a-side games.
Athlone ’83 3 : Football 4 All Academy (England) 0
Just five minutes into our first 11-a-side game and Shiner scored our first goal. Just before half-time Cathal took advantage of a poor kick out and lobbed the keeper for 2-0 and his fourth international goal a feat he celebrated by taking a small Irish flag from his sock. In the second half Evan scored again to make it 3-0 after both Gavin and Cody had shots blocked.
Athlone ’81 3 : Aberystwyth Academy Blues (Wales) 0
The ‘81’s had a 3-0 win in their first 11-a-side game and a good tough game. Jamie was unlucky with two good chances but shortly before half-time Charlie found Aidey with a super pass and Aidey scored. It was a tight match and it was not until the last seven minutes that we killed them off. Charlie scored an incredible free-kick from about 25 yards but he would tell you it was about 35 or 40! Chris then scored a good goal to finish it all off.
We then had two more 8-a-side games to finish a long day.
Athlone ’83 4 : E-Sports Academy (Dubai) 4
We were getting tired now and picked up a few injuries. We however were 3 up before half-time. Damo scored the first, Cian Mc got the second and Shiner scored the third coming from the corner kick routine we had practised and practised.
In the second half they got a goal back but Eric scored a fourth but we were hanging on with exhaustion and injuries. Fletch was carried off as they brought it back to 4-4 and in truth only for Matthew in goal we would have lost.
Athlone ’81 1 : E-Sport Academy B (Dubai) 0
Again a close game. They would not come out to play and seemed happy just not to concede. It was 0-0 at half-time but Simon unlocked their defence with a great pass and Aidey did the usual accomplished rest finding the net for the winner.
After our evening meal we went swimming. Damo risked his entire football career by pushing Mickey into the Deep End but it was a good laugh and good fun.
It was a long first day but a great first day. The football was good and the atmosphere is great. We have a huge support and are having great fun with all the other teams of all ages from all over. “Firty Free”
Day 3 - Tuesday 22nd July 2008
Today we would have an 11-a-side game and an 8-a-side game for each team with a 10.00 start. First up were the 81’s in an Irish derby with Portmarnock A
Athlone ’81 3 : Portmarnock A (Ireland) 0
In this 8-a-side game Martin N put us two up with two first half goals. Aidey also hit the post before Nicky made it 3-0 in the second half for a good win. Still unbeaten and still no goals conceded. From Portmarnock we headed to the Cayman Islands.
Athlone ’83 2 : Cayman Islands 0
We were all putting on sun-bloc. Two of their players wore woolly hats,gloves and body armour! However our football was too hot for them! Cathal did good work to set up Shiner for 1-0 and then in the second half Eoin scored with a great shot from distance with Cathal trying a back flick en route for a good win and a good performance.
Then each team had two 11-a-side games and what games they would be.
Athlone ’83 2 : Portmarnock (Ireland) 2
What a game!
We did not play that well and it was scoreless at half-time in a tight and tense game. In the second half it looked all up as they went two up but the lads showed great heart and character to turn it all around.
Evan got one back with a great goal lifting the ball over the advancing keeper. We piled on the pressure but just when it seemed that time had run out Fletch put in a majic cross from the left to find Shiner who headed to the net in the last seconds.
The whole place went mad. Everyone was out on the pitch. It was like we had won the Lotto twice on our birthday. Shiner was booked for his celebrations but nobody cared. It was only brilliant and that moment will take some beating to be the highlight of the whole week.
Athlone ’81 3 : Borras Park Rangers (Wales) 2
All the talk was about this Welsh side. They had won their League,Cup and League Cup treble and were unbeaten for about 300 years or something.
It was a great game despite a terrible referee. We went two up. Charlie was on fire. He picked out Nicky with a free kick and Nicky cut inside the defender and lashed the ball high into the roof of the net. Then Charlie showed there is loads going on under that mop with a brilliant quick free kick that took the Welsh boys by surprise.
They were however a good and big tough team and they fought back to level the game at 2-2. But Jamie got the winner racing onto the ball and sliding it past the keeper for 3-2.
A good game was spoiled by a bad referee who awarded a litany of yellow cards including one for Jamie’s goal scoring celebration. But he lost the plot when he sent Simon off for nothing. The red card was later rescinded.
It was one hell of a match but a great result with a great performance to round off a super second day.
After our meal we went swimming again and then off for a long,long walk to the Take-Away for even more grub for the hungry hoardes. We think Jason and Shane have shares in the place.
Then back to the rooms and off to bed except for Lee who held a party in his room into the small hours.
The other good news of the day. Mickey might be losing his voice!
DAY 4 - Wednesday 23rd July 2008
Today is going to be a scorcher. Even the lads from the Cayman Islands might risk it without the woolly hat! We loaded up on sunbloc and water. That sunbloc does not taste great..
Today see’s the last of the Group games in both competitions for both teams. The 81’s started with an 8-a-side game against our new friends Borras Park Rangers.
Athlone ’81 0 : Borras Park Rangers (Wales) 8
Yes that scoreline is correct. We didn’t throw the game but we were well aware that in winning the Group the 81’s are likely to be facing the 83’s in the semi-final. We would much rather meet in the final and that is only possible if we finish second in this Group. You can work it out for yourself. It is not rocket science but seemed to be lost on Borras who took great delight in each and every goal in what for us was a meaningless match. We have no doubt but that we will meet Borras again.
Athlone ’83 1 : Jamie Shore Soccer Academy (England) 2
The 83’s really needed to win this game to secure second spot. There was little in it in a tight and scoreless first half. They took the lead in the second half but we did not panic. Damo had a header tipped over the crossbar as we applied sustained pressure which finally told when Shiner (again) produced the goods with a great finish for 1-1.
We looked well on our way but werestunned to concede a second goal from a sloppy corner. We did press for an equaliser but to no avail. Cathal had a good shot well saved while Eoin hit the post.
It will take an unlikely combination of results to now see us finish second but we can do no worse than third in the six team group. Our chances were not enhanced when it emerged that Portmarnock could not or would not field for the last group game. We get the points but on a fictictious 2-0 scoreline which does not do much for our goal difference.
So then back for lunch,more water and great intentions of resting up for the evening games. First up were the 81’s in their last 8-a-side Group match needing just a draw to secure second spot in the Group and advancement to the semi-finals.
Athlone 81 3 : Caernarfon (Wales) 2
We won this game more comfortably against these Welsh speakers than the scoreline might suggest.
Aidey gave us the lead with a headed goal after 8 minutes. On 20 minutes Aidey got a second. There was great work down the right by Matty D and Nicky and Aidey finished it with another fine goal. Just one minute later Jamie made it 3-0 when he lobbed the keeper.
Into the second half we were guilty of perhaps relaxing too much and to be fair they came out and played a bit more. They did bring it back to 3-2 but a draw would have done. Nicky did hit the post late on but the win was enough to secure a place in the semi-final tomorrow. Job done.
Athlone ’83 3 : Aberystwyth Academy Greens (WAL) 3
The 83’s certainly give value for money. If yesterday was good this was even better. We needed something from this 11-a-side game to finish second against the Group leaders.
It did not look great when we conceded in the first minutes and were 2 down by half time. They were huge with two giants in midfield and another few at the back. However we remained faithful to our passing game and gradually got back into the game. We were just about getting on top when they scored again,on the break,for 3-0. It looked over but what a come back.
Cathal kick started it all with a brilliant goal from a free kick. Then our big man,Noel blasted to the net following a super Damo free kick. We had them now and with time running out Evan scored a magnificent header for an incredible 3-3 draw. The whole place went mad. Pitch invasion again and just amazing scenes.
It was a fantastic performance of great football, great heart, great belief and just a vindication of all that we are now about. We got the unlikely draw because we continued to play passing football and they,for all their size,just could not cope. What a fantastic match. The huge support , which seems to be getting bigger by the day, were just amazed by it all. This really is something special.
Athlone ’81 3 : Simla Youngs (INDIA) 0
We had already topped this 11-a-side Group and could not be caught even if we lost. The first half was scoreless but in the second half Paddy hit the woodwork yet again but before skipper Martin N opened the scoring with a good finish and his third goal of thr week. Paddy then blasted one off the crossbar before finally finding the net following a corner for 2-0.
Martin N then grabbed his second of the game with a polished finish for 3-0 to leave the ‘81’s unbeaten and with a 100% record to top Group 2 and advance to tomorrow afternoons quareter-final.
A great day all round. This experience has exceeded all expectations for it, and both on and off the pitch.
What will tomorrow hold?