ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó

Friday 3rd of February seen the initiation of the first ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Football League tournament between some of our sites across Northern Ireland. The tournament was hosted by ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Cookstown, taking place in the Mid Ulster Sports Arena (MUSA) across two pitches. Four ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó sites partook in the event including Cookstown, Omagh, Dungannon and Ballymoney. 

The initiative was brought forward by a few individuals from each of the sites. Following on from the successful summer event hosted by ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Omagh for the Neal Hanratty Memorial Cup. Several ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó sites entered 7 a-side teams and with the event achieving record number of participants, the idea of a ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Football League was discussed and received well by the sites.

For the ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Football League, each game consisted of 30 minutes, 11 a-side games, played with full rules. Each ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó site played each other once, with the winner having the most points accumulated.

Results of fixtures:

Round 1 – Cookstown 2 – 1 Ballymoney            Omagh 1 – 4 Dungannon
Round 2 – Ballymoney 0 – 1 Dungannon           Cookstown 3 – 1 Omagh
Round 3 – Cookstown 2 – 2 Dungannon            Ballymoney 2 – 0 Omagh

Leading into the final round of fixtures set up a coincidental final between Cookstown and Dungannon. ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Cookstown led 2-0 during the game and with 5 minutes to go, Dungannon pulled their lead back and scored 2 goals to equalise. Due to this game finishing in a draw, head-to-head could not separate the teams on equal points, so ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Dungannon won the ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Football League on goal difference. By one goal. 

The evening was wrapped up with food and refreshments in the Dunleath bar in Cookstown. Thank you to ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Cookstown for hosting and organising the event facilities, entertainments bar and catering. In particular, recognition should go to Patrick Crilly of ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Cookstown for organising these and to David Tierney of ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Omagh who ensured a smooth running of the event on the day, co-ordinating the pitches, players and referees. To each of the site’s organisers for sorting out their teams. Finally, thanks to the players for participating and those who came to support each of the teams. Without your uptake, the event would not be possible. 

We hope the ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Football League will happen again across different locations throughout our sites and that more team members and supporters get involved in the next one and enjoy themselves. A fantastic team building event that helped to connect our team members across our Northern Ireland sites. A true demonstration of the ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Way Values!

Congratulations once again to ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Dungannon!