February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
A 2-2 tie with injury-hit Shamrock clinched the 8-a-side round-robin competition for undefeated Celtic, who were led by former Shamrock Fergal O’Barrett.
Celtic then completed the double by routing Caribbean entrants Tough Turks 5-0 in the final of the cup section, on goals by Julian Prada (two), Tony Fonseca, Derek Walker and Kevin Edgecox.
Walker and Edgecox were also on target in Celtic’s decisive tie with Shamrock, who finished second in the round-robin competition but swept the individual honors.
Shamrock winger Freddy Fitzpatrick was voted Player of the Tournament and Chris Coll, a guest player for the Rocks, was named Best Goalkeeper, while accolades also went to the Chicago Celtic’s Joe Murray, another player on loan to Shamrock for the tournament.
Paul Agnew of fifth-placed finishers Beadling was picked Coach of the Tournament.
Organizer Niall Swan said Shamrock, with whom he’s affiliated, played well but were hurt by injuries to players like Anton McKeon on the second day. The Rocks showed their class on Day One by thrashing fellow Irish side The Cottage 5-1, and Cosmopolitan Soccer League compatriots Central Park Rangers 3-0, in between a thrilling 3-3 tie with Adrian Corr’s Tough Turks, an Irish club from the Turks and Caicos Island in the Caribbean.
Swan also spoke highly of the double tournament winners, and the Tough Turks, both of whom fielded strong teams.
“I was really happy with [the tournament],” he said. “There was good standard football and all the teams were well matched.”
Piper Celtic’s triumphant O’Barrett concurred, saying he was impressed with the organization.