Local Gardai get the best of Cobh youth in friendly soccer match

(L-R): Eric McCarthy (Captain Gardai), Davin O’ Neill (referee), Dean O’ Leary (Captain Feabhas GYDP).

A friendly, nine a side, soccer match between some local Gardai and a team from Feabhas Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) in Cobh kicked off at 5pm on Friday, 21st April in Springfield Ramblers Astro Turf Pitch at the Cobh Community College grounds in Carrignafoy.

Both sides were fiercely competitive from the first whistle and out for the win. The Gardai scored the first few goals, Eric McCarthy (c) with two and Dave O’ Shea the other, but Feabhas GYDP came back strong, with scores from Morgan Doody, Alex Costello and Dean O’ Leary (c), to make it level (3-3) at half time.

Back row (L-R): Davin O’ Neill, Referee; Natan Tran; Dave O’ Shea; Liam Devlin Buckley; Josh McKevitt; Killian McKevitt; Morgan Doody; Eric McCarthy; Sean J. Twomey; Paul Murphy; Jake Fallon; and Niamh Ryan, Justice Worker Feabhas GYDP. Front row (L-R): Pat Hegarty; Aidan O’ Riordan; Dean O’ Leary; Sean Drake; Alex Costello; Josh Costello; and Jimmy Dunlea, Project Co-ordinator Feabhas GYDP.

The Gardai came back strongly in the second half with another goal, this time from Sean J. Twomey, with Alex Costello getting another strong goal a few minutes later. The game remained a draw for some time before Aidan O’ Riordan, of the Gardai, scored the winning goal in the closing moments of the game, making the final score 5-4 to the gardai.

The Feabhas GYDP team were understandably disappointed to have lost but showed great sportsmanship in shaking the guards’ hands after the match ended and congratulating them on their win. Feabhas GYDP’s team are eager for a re-match to ensure they come out on top next time. The game was such a success, both sides agreed to make it an annual event with the winner taking home a specialised trophy, dedicated to the games of these two teams.