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SPRINGFIELD RAMBLERS U-14’s conquer Europe

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Huge congratulations to Springfield Ramblers U-14 team who won the Den Bosch Easter Cup Competition held in Amsterdam Holland over the Easter weekend. The Springfield squad with coaches and some parents travelled to Amsterdam last Friday morning as Ireland’s only representative team in the Competition. The U-14 tournament consisted of 10 teams representing countries from Holland, Denmark, Belgium, Germany, Scotland and Ireland.

Proceedings got underway for SR Saturday morning with a match against host club SV CHC.
A 1 nil victory for SR put a welcome 3 points on the board. The all-important goal came after 4 mins when Captain Seán Cummins slotted home a penalty. Next up for SR were Belgian side Etoile De Faimes. SR recorded a comfortable 3 nil victory here. Jamie Cotter opened the scoring after 6 mins with a fine shot from 20 yards. Jamie turned provider for goal No. 2 playing a through ball to Harry Ellis who finished with aplomb to the bottom corner. With Alex Lynch controlling midfield, he then played in Harry Ellis for his second and SR’s third.
SR’s last group game on Saturday was against Danish side Vorup FB. A nil all draw was the outcome here between 2 evenly matched sides.

Sunday morning saw SR complete their group match with a 1 nil victory over Danish side Bagsvaerd Boldklub1. This win guaranteed the lads a semi-final berth. The decisive goal came with 5 minutes remaining when Alex Lynch produced a slide rule pass onto Jake Ryan whose effort was only parried by the keeper. Harry Danaj pounced on the breaking ball to smash it home, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

Next up for SR was a semi- final tie against German side SVE Jerxen-Orbke. A fantastic 3 nil victory booked the SR boys their place in the final. Harry Ellis opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a German defender was penalised for hand ball. With 12 minutes remaining a 20 yard free kick from Jake Ryan came back off the foot of the post and Harry Ellis gleefully thumped the ball into the back of the net for his 4th goal of the tournament. With 10 minutes left Alex Lynch threaded a sublime through ball to Harry Danaj who dispatched a delightful shot into the bottom corner of the German net. Next up – THE FINAL- dare to dream.

With the tension mounting the Den Bosch Final got underway against our Scottish opponents Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts. A tight encounter was decided after 13 minutes when a Harry Ellis shot came back off the keeper to Jake Ryan, whose first time shot nestled in the back of the Scottish net. The physically strong Swifts increased the pressure, but the unrelenting SR resilience remained intact throughout the tournament and more significantly to claim the Cup and title –European Champions!!!

All 16 lads displayed great heart and determination to come through 6 games in 2 days scoring 9 goals and conceding none-a truly brilliant performance. Prior to returning home the squad were given the guided tour of Ajax Amsterdam Arena – the highlight of this being pitch side when our tour guide requested the lads to walk out from the tunnel to the match day music to simulate the atmosphere of Match day live. One last formality remained – SR Player of The Tournament. This award went to Alex Lynch Alex excelled in Holland playing with grit and determination in central midfield. He linked up superbly with his defence and forwards. His ability to produce defence splitting passes proved decisive in our games. Well done Alex. Well done to the coaching staff: John Griffin, Willie O’ Hanlon and Nigel Lynch
Thanks to the parents who travelled to assist the coaches: Darragh Burke, Christy Ryan, Brian Cullimore and Paul Cummins.

Squad members: Darragh Burke, Adam Hastings, Eoin Cullimore, George Kelly, Seán Cummins (C) Alex Lynch Jake Ryan, Kuba Hofft, Matthew Amoo, Harry Danaj, Harry Ellis, Adam McCormack, Jamie Cotter, Jack Grant, Luka Bardsley , Sultan Adebayo

Preparations for this trip began last year when a Race Night Fundraiser was organised. Thanks to Yvonne Mellerick Burke and Mairead Hasting Gilley for organising this and ensuring the smooth running of the night. Thanks to Ronan Daly Jermyn solicitors and Paul Coughlan for supplying the football kit. Last but certainly not least, a massive thanks to Nigel Lynch who made this trip possible. He organised flights, accommodation, kit, all transport and logistical matters pertaining to the competition right down to having Springfield Ramblers pennants made up for exchange with the visiting teams.

This trip proved to be very successful and enjoyable and provided the lads with memories theywill cherish for the rest of their lives.

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