Mass Sportskit retained the Derek Crowe Memorial 6-a-sides after they defeated 2002 winners, Classic Seven, 2-1 in last Sunday’s final.
In an excellent final, the winners made it two in a row with Johnny O'Brien and Mikey Gilmore scoring the all-important goals.
They had to come from behind to claim the title after Barry Moran had put Classic Seven in front on five minutes. It was the fourth time the Classic Seven had finished runners-up, having also lost out in the 2001, 2005 and 2007 finals.
The tournament proved to be another huge success with more than 130 games played throughout the weekend. The competition, which is held in memory of the former Mervue United and Galway United player, did not produce any real shocks as all the fancied sides qualified for the knock-out stages. Hwerver Useless Sparks, Back Utd, Boo Castle Celtic, and Internacional Brazil all crashed out to surprise defeats in the next round, while Six Shooters, Beetlejuice, Shamrocks, and Better Bettor Schoolbags followed suit in the last 16.
With just eight teams remaining at the quarter finals stage Mass Sportskit defeated Tony Crowes by 2-0 with goals from Mikey Gilmore and Keith Ward in a game which was a repeat of last year’s final. The Classic Seven cruised into the last four with a 4-0 win over Mammy’s Boys as Ollie Keogh, Mark Moran, and Johnny Mernagh (twice ) scored the goals. Brazilian side Brazucas FC from Athlone defeated a fancied Martin O’Neill Electrical team 3-0 with goals from Valdo (2 ) and Pablo as they continued to thrill the crowd with their brilliant displays. In the last quarter final Crowe’s Bar defeated another Brazilian side, Ennis Time, 1-0 as a sole Jason Finn goal settled this one.
The Derek Crowe Memorial Cup was presented by Derek’s father, Michael, to Willie McDonagh of the winning team. Mike Shaughnessy of the referees presented the Peter Coppinger player of the tournament trophy to Mikey Gilmore of Mass Sportskit. The Alan McDonnell top goalscorer award was also presented to Mikey Gilmore (five ).
