MORE than 300 players from 28 teams took part in the seventh running of the Grads-organised youth water polo tournament, which was played over three days at the Grove Well Being Centre and Falls Leisure Centre.
It was a good weekend for Brugha who won two of the four competitions and reached the semi-finals of the other two. They lifted the mini (U10) event when they beat Clonard,Setanta and Newry on their way to the final where they overcame a plucky young Bangor side 3-0. The seasiders goalkeeper Jonah McKee who had been tremendous throughout got the MVP award.
The Maxi (U12) event was clinched thanks to wins over Bangor(2-1),Setanta(6-1) and in one of the most exciting games of the entire programme,Oisin McGurk celebrated his eleventh birthday when he was the only player from either side to score in a penalty shoot-out against Clonard in the semi-final after the teams had finished level at the end of normal time. They went on to beat Dublin visitors Clontarf 3-0 in the final with MVP winner ,the outstanding Eva Ramsay scoring a hat trick.
A very good Clonard side won the boys U15 event when they were well ahead of the rest and were comfortable winners over Clontarf in the final after having beaten Brugha,Grads and Bangor to get there. Fionn McConvey, who scored a total of 26 goals, was rewarded with the MVP.
Dublin raiders St Vincent's were never seriously challenged in collecting the girls' U15 event and amassed an impressive 90 goals. Cliona Colvin, who scored 20 of her team's total, was given the MVP accolade. One of Brugha's emerging young players Fionntain Hill was delighted to receive the Goalkeeper of the Tournament gong after a series of superb saves in the U15 competition.
Swimming the English Channel these days has lost none of its appeal,and following on from Rachael Lee and Alice Flood last month, Aer Lingus Masters swimmer William Irwin is hoping to get away from Dover this week.
The worthy beneficiary of his effort will be Temple Street Hospital in Dublin.
