NOT every footballing journey ends with silverware – but the 2010 boys of St Malachy’s OB YC will be forever remembered as trailblazers of the north Belfast club after they finished in a remarkable fourth place out of 56 teams in last week’s prestigious Foyle Cup.
Few expected St Malachy’s to make much of a dent in their debut appearance at the annual youth competition in Co Derry given some illustrious clubs that were competing in their section as well as the fact that St Malachy's youth section is only up and running over the last seven years.
Manager Sean Davey described the Foyle Cup experience for his charges as “a week to remember” and that it has only whetted the appetite of all the youngsters at St Malachy’s.
“The memories that the kids and coaches have made will last a life-time,” said Davey.
“St Malachys is firmly on the map as a force to be reckoned with, but not only that the family ethos that the club has been built on runs through the veins of these kids and will surely be infectious going forward.”
The games came thick and fast with St Malachy’s – made up of two different streams from their 2010 section - topping Group G with full points before heading into a last 16 tie against Foyle Harps FC where they won on a 4-0 score-line.
“We could see as the tournament progressed the boys, their work-rate, determination and desire to win increasing with every game.”
The adventure continued with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Belfast neighbours St Oliver Plunkett in the quarter-finals in Strabane. To reach the semi-finals was beyond the club’s wildest dreams as they sized up another National League team in the guise of Coleraine FC.
“What happened next was a sense of immense pride and extreme heartbreak,” said Davey.
“We matched Coleraine stride for stride, tackle for tackle for almost the whole game.”
With seven minutes to go Coleraine hit two quick-fire goals; St Malachy’s rallied superbly and pulled a goal back but just ran out of time.
“The tears flowed with a mixture of sadness and pride. Reaching the last four in our first attempt is something the players, coaches, parents and wide football family at St Malachy’s can be rightly proud of.
“The whole experience has given the whole club the Foyle Cup bug and we hope to be back again next year so that more St Malachy’s kids can experience moments like our 2010s have because they were absolutely priceless.”
