We’re off to see Messi

IF you’re going to spend St Patrick’s Day out of Ireland, it would have to be for a special reason.

And what could be more special than sitting in the Nou Camp Stadium watching world-beaters like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Iniesta showing off their football skills in front of an adoring Barcelona public.

This mouthwatering treat awaits Clontarf FC’s Under 13B team who will get to see these stars in the flesh when they take on Rayo Vallecano in a La Liga game this Sunday March 17.

The Northside youngsters will be travelling to Barcelona on St Patrick’s weekend to take part in a Spanish Training Academy Camp, visit the Nou Camp Stadium and Museum Tour, play some challenge games, take in a sightseeing tour of the city and enjoy a fun day out at the Tibidabo Theme Park, as well as watching the big game of course.

Unsurprisingly, a trip of this magnitude didn’t come easy that’s for sure. It’s the result of a lot of hard work fundraising, which began last year.

The boys started the first fundraiser in June 2012 with a bag pack in Nolan’s Supermarket Clontarf. This took place following a very successful night’s entertainment in the Beachcomber Pub last October with an Elvis night performed by the great Ray Elvis and the equally famous Tiger Man of X Factor fame.

The boys then took part in a further bag-packing event in Supervalu Killester in January.

And recently they took part in a Bed Push with Mattress Mick of Unit 3 Malahide Road Industrial Park Coolock.

Mick was pushed from the Beachcomber to Raheny, through Clontarf and back to Killester. Mick, as well as giving freely of his time, has also kindly made a large donation towards the cost of the boys’ trip.

The Beachcomber public house, which facilitated team meetings, the Elvis Night and the team’s Christmas Party, also made a generous contribution, which is greatly appreciated by all those connected with the trip of a lifetime.

It was not all work and no play for the boys though as during the season their efforts were rewarded with a trip to the Aviva Stadium to watch the Republic of Ireland play Germany in a World Cup qualifier. This outing was kindly sponsored by Finglas Motors Main Ford Dealers.

Team managers Rob Hanvey and Tony Donnelly have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support and generosity offered to the team by both businesses and the local community. Both Rob and Tony would like to thank all those concerned.

Clontarf FC’s under 13B team was formed in the summer of 2011 after team manager Rob Hanvey learned that the then under 11s team he managed at Killester United was to be disbanded.

Rob actively set about finding a new home for his team and approached Clontarf FC about their dilemma.

The Under 13s are enjoying an excellent 2012/2013 season, and at the time of going to press, were unbeaten in the league and cup under their new team captain Eoin Donnelly.