June 21 Arklow Town FC Mini World Cup 2009
Wow!  What a wonderful two weekends of fabulous football and fun we've enjoyed at Arklow Town Football Club, with the 400 plus children lighting up Lamberton with their efforts on the field of play.  For some it's fun, just to step across the white line and onto the pitch.  For others, it's Roy of the Rovers stuff and the be all and end all - to be on the team that wins the Mini World Cup!  Of course, winning is not paramount to what makes the Mini World Cup what it is.  The Under 6's and Under 8's, though obviously non-competitive forever throws up some wonderful moments while there's a greater level of football and competition, obviously, with the older Under 10 and Under 12 categories.  This season's Under 12 tournament was a very close affair with Ghana edging past USA in one of our most dramatic finals ever, Eoghan Doyle netting the winner with just five seconds remaining in normal time.  The Under 10 final was an all South American affair with Chile putting one over Argentina to win the trophy.  The Maradona trophy, awarded to the player deemed the Player of the Tournament was won by Ghana's Keith Byrne.  Congratulations to all the players and their families who supported them so well.  Right, anyone for a hotdog?

Below, we have a gallery of images from the first weekend of the Mini World Cup (June 13/14).  Images from the following weekend's fun will appear shortly.

July 13 2008 Mini World Cup basks in glorious sunshine
Glorious sunshine enveloped Arklow Town’s Bridgewater Centre Park this weekend as this year’s Mini World Cup tournament drew to a highly successful close in front of a huge gathering. An annual highlight for many children this year’s competition attracted a record number of players of all ages, with over 350 children playing across the various age groups over the two weekends. The U12 competition was a keenly contested affair with Angola and Sweden eventually winning through to the final. In the final itself, matters were level with Luke Walker and Ryan Murray netting, for Angola and Sweden respectively. The Hannah Roche Cup was won however with a wonderful half volley late in the game from Angolan captain, Luke Walker. His team mate Shane Walker created a little piece of club history when being recognised as the player of the tournament – a title bestowed on him last season also and in doing so, lifting the Maradona trophy and the Paddy Furlong trophy, he became the first player ever in the thirty year history of the Mini World Cup to retain the annual award. Shane received his award from John Kavanagh while all medals and other trophies were handed out by two of the club’s current crop of international players – David O’Neill (U18) and Shane Murray (U16). 

The U10 competition was a gripping battle with little to separate the twelve competing sides. Finland and Germany won through to the Final with the Finns the only side to go through the tournament unbeaten. However, in the final, in typical German fashion echoing the real German side, they were finished off as the Germans, through Thomas Rowan and Corey Mills, scored two goals without reply to win the cup. The Sainey Wolohan Memorial Trophy was presented to the winning captain, Matthew O'Neill of Germany .

Both U8 and U6 competitions provided plenty of cheer, with some of the younger children participating in football for the first time. All players were given trophies at the end of the tournament, and a reminder that international Shane Murray himself first kicked a ball in the club’s Mini World Cup some years ago!

The club are now busy preparing for next season and trials are being held for all age levels over the coming weeks. Details are readily available on the club’s website and also on notices around Arklow. All new players wanting to come and join Arklow Town Football Club are more than welcome.

Summer 2005 Another successful Mini World Cup
Photo's gathered from the days before we had an official club website to host such images.  Always great to look back on, if you have any old Mini World Cup images you would like to share with us then please do so by emailing the webmaster.