Background
Very early one Friday at the end of May 2009, Tony Richardson's DDSL U-9A1s flew to Barçelona to compete in the Copa Maresme tournament.
While our lads were all U-9 in that 2008/9 season, some of the opposition were in the U-10 age group, thus presenting a difficult challenge from the outset.
After a day of training and rest our boys headed into to the mountains behind Barçelona to play four games against the toughest of French opposition - eventual winners F.C. Rueil Malmaison, eventual third-placed team E.S. Cros de Cagnes, US Vouillé 2 and S.O. Septèmes.
The Competition Begins
The first game, against the eventual third-placed team, E.S. Cros de Cagnes, started in the 1530 afternoon heat and our boys played very well with Killian Needham Doyle scoring from long range.
Our opponents equalised and, with the game heading for a draw, Dylan Rowe slotted home two fine team goals to secure our first win on away soil.
The Second, and Best, Game
The second game was a thriller with our boys losing 3-1 to the eventual winners of the tournament, F.C. Rueil Malmaison.
This game was the match of the tournament with wonder saves from Seán Galvin, great tackles by Peter Richardson and topped off with a fine goal by Seán McDonald.
Jim Kennedy and Seán Keenan excelled in midfield but the year difference between the two teams and the searing heat took its eventual toll.
The Third Group Game
Somewhat dejected, our boys regrouped and we decided that all-out attack in the third and last game of the day would be the plan.
Tony 'Pep Guardiola' Richardson pushed Seán McDonald up front; this move proved a masterstoke with Seán scoring a quickfire hat-trick, including a great header, early on to leave our French opponents (yet again), US Vouillé 2 reeling.
Josh Breen, Eoin Kennedy, Rhys Macken and Johnny Bell all equitted themselves very well during this game.
Coolong Off
After a slight transport delay our boys headed back to the hotel for a night of fun and dancing till late.
The Next Day
On Sunday morning we regrouped and headed back to the hills for the last game. Unfortunately our boys lost 2-1 to yet another French club S.O. Septèmes.
Seán Keenan scored a great goal from midfield and, as we bombarded the French net, we got caught out with two breakaway goals!
This left us out of the tournament's knockout stages but with our heads held very high as we were the only team to get within two goals of the eventual winners, who hammered everybody else by large scores.
Afterwards
Killian said these were the best few days of his life, a view shared by all!
The boys and mentors had a great few days and Tony felt that each and every player played as well as they could have.
The boys finished off with some Karaoke tunes late into the Sunday night and headed home on Monday night with smiles on their faces, as they faced into all the fun of MWC'09.
Great credit to is due to mentors Michael Galvin and John Kennedy who made this trip a pleasure for everybody with their organisational skills.
See the full set of tournament results and the final rankings.
Our lads appear in the second group of U-10 teams, in which they finished third.
A truly great experience for all.
The squad
Some of the parents enjoying the sun
Beach football in the sun...
...with the all-important warm-up...
... and then a little rest
Eyes right for the camera
Setting out for the hills
Much-needed hydration after the game