Saturday 18th August saw further positive indications of underage football improvements with the Fé 15 West squad capturing the national competition in Offaly and the Fé 16’s capturing the Inter County League in Mallow.
The Fé 16 squad were impressive in beating Galway, Roscommon and Dublin in a thrilling final. The standard of football on display was excellent and provides tentative grounds for optimism as this group head to the Minor Fé 17 grade in 2019. The other Cork Fé 16 team failed to emerge from their group suffering defeats to Galway and Dublin.
The Fé 15 West and East squads were in Offaly for the concluding parts of the Adam Mangan National Football Tournament where 33 teams took part. Both teams had won their group games in the Gradings Day on July 28th. The East Squad were short a few key players which upset their momentum from the Gradings Day. They performed well but missed out on qualification on goal difference from their group with Galway and Wicklow.
The West Squad, buoyed up by their recent success in the Munster Competition, were in excellent form once again and remain unbeaten this year winning out the Tournament. They beat Mayo in the quarter final before seeing off a determined challenge from the home county (Offaly) before advancing to beat North Kerry in the final on a scoreline of 3-11 to 1-09.
Our Fé 14 footballers were also in action. On this occasion, our West and Mid West squads were merged and our City East and North squads were playing together for the first time. Kerry and Mayo were the visitors to Mallow for a 2 groups of 3 format. Both Cork sides acquitted themselves well with both narrowly losing to the Kerry sides while both beat Mayo convincingly.
Overall a very positive day at the office and another day which will stand to the players in their development. Great credit is due to the club coaches, parents and of course the mentors who work so hard with these squads.