Boys are Brittany bound

Boys are Brittany bound

20 May 2015

A MERRY band of young footballers head off on the trip of a lifetime to France tomorrow morning.

The blossoming talents of 12 players from Killyleagh, Portaferry, Coney Island, Newcastle, Downpatrick, Loughinisland and Crossgar jet off to Brittany to take part in an international tournament in Vannes. 

It’s an early start for the young players, all 11 years and under, who have to be in Dublin Airport for 11.30am, but team coach Raymond Campbell is confident that his charges are ready to go.

Campbell and his back room team of Pat Moore and Henry Curran have been putting the starlets, who play in the Downpatrick Youth Football League and the South Belfast League, through their paces in recent weeks with the emphasis on enjoyment.

The representative side faces a massive task taking on some of the best youth squads in Europe, but Campbell, a teacher at St. Columba’s College in Portaferry, is adamant that his side can be competitive and are not going to make up the numbers.

“The last few weeks have been a bit hectic trying to get everything in place, but I am delighted that I accepted the challenge to put a squad together and I am thrilled to announce that we have already been invited back next year, “ he said.

“Football at this age is all about development and enjoyment and what better way to improve your technical ability and skills than to 

compete against some of the best young players in Europe.

“The games last 10 minutes straight through and we will play eight games on Saturday and then another couple on Sunday.

“It has been a pleasure to work with these young lads and I have nothing but praise for the way they have applied themselves, their willingness to learn and the focus they have shown in all our training sessions,” he added. 

“It is a big step they are taking, but I am convinced that they will not only enjoy the trip immensely, but come back better players with a desire to get even better.

“I must pay special praise to the players’ families for all the support and encouragement they have given me and the team and I must also thank my school principal, Mr. Michael Breen, for his support ever since I was first asked to put a team together.”