Recently at Charleville Town Park, the 3rd Charleville Garda Community Soccer Tournament was held. It was the biggest yet, with 15 teams taking part. Community Garda Nick Phelan, who organised the event, wants to thank the following: Charleville F.C. for the use of their ground, Brian Fitzgibbon for refereeing and help in the organisation, Timmy Fitzgerald and Kevin Buckley of Charleville F.C. for facilitating the event, Response Engineering, Railway Road, for sponsoring the trophies and medals supplied by Ger Kiely, Garrienderk, Connie Bowles, Mike Kavanagh and Garda John O’Halloran for refereeing matches, Eugene Bowles and Davy O’Regan for helping paper the pitches, Brendan Lee, Topaz, Limerick Road, for providing water, and Geary’s Charleville for providing the venue for the presentation and the refreshments.
Most of all I want to thank the teams for taking part. Teams were sponsored by the Second Wind (winners of the Cup), Collins’s Bar, Milford (runners-up), Topaz/Centra (winners of the plate), O’Connell’s Bar, the Red Bog Dromina, Geary’s Bar, SuperValu, the Bridge, Ballyhea, and Club D’Ville. Thanks also to Dinny O’Mahony, Mikey O’Driscoll and Seán McCormack for entering teams. Likewise to Attila Un for entering a Slovak team and Josemar and Lindemar who captained the two Brazilian teams one of which was runner up in the plate competition.
Thanks to William Casey and Mike McGrath for taking the photos and to the Vale Star for coverage. Because of the sponsorship from Response Engineering this year all money raised is going to the chosen charity; this year’s funds are going to the senior citizens. €900 was presented to Marian Byrnes and Nell O’Grady of Charleville Senior Citizens Association. The remaining money will be distributed to rural senior citizens groups. Many thanks again to everybody, and another charity will benefit in 2013.