Blackrock footballers set new world record

TWO soccer teams from a Blackrock-based company have created a new world record for the longest five-a-side football match ever played.

Barnardos ambassador Richie Sadlier togged out with Owen Keating, Andrew McGinley and Dermot Moloney from foodservices company Sodexo Ireland for a photocall at Tallaght stadium to celebrate their amazing success.

Both sides played for 53 hours non-stop and achieved a final score line of 695-601 goals to set the new world record in aid of Barnardos, the Irish Cancer Society and St Vincent de Paul.

Organiser Andrew McGinley said:

“We had to play competitively throughout because that’s a key requirement and believe me, that was pretty tough going in the early hours of the morning after 40-odd hours on your feet.

“We’re over the moon at the result and it is a huge vote of thanks, not only to the players who put in so much effort, but also for the overwhelming support from dozens of work colleagues who travelled from all over the country to lend a hand.

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He added:

“It would be the icing on the cake if we hit our final goal of

?¬20,000 for the three charities.

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So far

?¬18,000 has been raised and any donations to help them reach their goal would be greatly appreciated and can be made at www.mycharity.ie/event/sodexo_soccer_world_record.

The match was played from June 21-23 at the Nagle Rice Sports Complex in Portlaoise.

It has been officially verified by Guinness World Records following a detailed submission of supporting evidence in print and on video.

The Sodexo Ireland teams beat the existing Guinness World Record of 43 hours by a comfortable margin, despite two players dropping out due to injury early on.

They also beat the unofficial world record of 52 hours, which was set in the UK last year but never verified.

Margot Slattery, the managing director of Sodexo Ireland, said it was a fantastic achievement by all concerned.

“Let’s hope the record stands for a very long time to come,

? she said.

“On behalf of the company, my sincere thanks most of all to the players for their heroic efforts as well as to all the staff, volunteers, family and friends who supported them during the past few months in this extremely gruelling challenge for three very worthwhile charities.

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Sodexo Ireland is a leading provider of food and facilities management services, delivering on-site service solutions to clients in business and industry, education, financial services and healthcare. It employs approximately 1,800 people in 180 locations across Ireland.