Ballymena U16 International Tournament 2007

 

Ballymena International Tournament - Final - 27 April 2007

The Republic of Ireland U16 team, managed by Vincent Butler, won the prestigious Ballymena International Tournament with a resounding 3-0 success over hosts Northern Ireland in the Ballymena Showgrounds tonight.

The first half was a cautious affair with both sides showing a certain degree of tension before a large attendance predominantly supporting the home side. The nervousness displayed by both sides was understandable given the importance of the occasion.

Vincent Butler's half-time address had an immediate impact following the resumption. After forty seconds of the second-half, a free kick was flicked on by Ballybofey United centre-back John Dunleavy and a diving header from Everton midfielder Gerard Kinsella put Butler's Boys in front.

Buoyed by their breakthrough, the boys grew in confidence and began to take control of the game. Their enterprise was further rewarded eight minutes later, when from a corner, Jay Wallace, another member of the Everton Academy, powered home another header for goal number two.

Butler's Boys now assumed complete command and fifteen minutes later, Shelbourne striker Karl Sheppard arrived late at the back post to cooly finish a corner delivered by Blackburn Rovers midfielder Aaron Doran for the third and final goal.

This success was a fitting finale to a long 17 game season for this squad. The players will now move up to the U17 age group under the stewardship of Sean McCaffey and will compete in the first qualifying stage of the 2008 UEFA European U17 Championships during September 2007.

Ireland will host the four team Group 5 mini-tournament and the fixture schedule is as follows:-

Friday 14 September 2007

Denmark v Slovenia; Republic of Ireland v Ukraine

Sunday 16 September 2007

Republic of Ireland v Denmark; Slovenia v Ukraine

Wednesday 19 September 2007

Denmark v Ukraine; Republic of Ireland v Slovenia

2007 Ballymena International Tournament - 26 April 2007

The eight running of the Ballymena International Tournament is currently taking place in the County Antrim towns of Ballymena and Larne. The invitation Tournament, which is for players born on or after 1 January 1991, was officially launched by Lawrie Sanchez and comprises eight countries. The teams are divided into two groups of four, with the group winners meeting in the final for the David Cairns Memorial Trophy. The Republic of Ireland, managed by Vincent Butler, has previously participated in 2000, when they finished as runners-up to Israel, and in 2003.

2007 Tournament Results and Tables:

Group 'A'

Switzerland	2-2	Israel
Finland	3-1	Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland	2-1	Israel
Finland	0-0	Switzerland
Northern Ireland	1-0	Switzerland
Finland	0-2	Israel

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Northern Ireland	3	2	0	1	4	4	6
Israel	3	1	1	1	5	4	4
Finland	3	1	1	1	3	3	4
Switzerland	3	0	2	1	2	3	2

 

 

 

 

Group 'B'

Czech Republic	1-2	Republic of Ireland
Scotland	1-1	USA
Republic of Ireland	1-1	Scotland
USA	3-2	Czech Republic
Czech Republic	1-1	Scotland
Republic of Ireland	2-1	USA

 

	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Republic of Ireland	3	2	1	0	5	3	7
USA	3	1	1	1	5	5	4
Scotland	3	0	3	0	3	3	3
Czech Republic	3	0	1	2	4	6	1

 

 

 

The final of the Tournament, between hosts Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, will take place on Friday evening, 27 April 2007, in the Ballymena Showgrounds with a 7.30pm kick-off.

Previous Tournament Winners:

1999 Switzerland
2000 Israel
2002 Israel
2003 Scotland
2004 Switzerland
2005 Czech Republic
2006 Czech Republic