THE St Kevin’s Boys’ Under 13 side were extremely unlucky to finish runners-up over the Easter weekend in this year’s Academy Cup which they hosted in Santry.
The home side lost on penalties in the final to a tall-in-stature Barcelona side.
The Northsiders went into half-time in the final 3-1 down to a classy Barca side, which included top international prospect Xavi Simmons from the Netherlands, but clawed back the deficit to force penalties.
However, the Saints were defeated via one of the cruellest ways in sport as the penalty to keep them in the shootout struck the post.
Despite this disappointment, all at St Kevin’s Boys will forever treasure a 1-0 win the day before in the group stages of the competition against the world famous academy side.
The well attended competition, held at Shanowen Road, welcomed five major European clubs which included last year’s champions Deportivo La Coruna, Celtic, Lyon, West Brom and this year’s winners Barcelona.
St Kevin’s is one of Ireland’s most renowned schoolboy clubs, with both past and present senior internationals donning their jersey at underage level including Liam Brady, Damien Duff, Ian Harte, Robbie Brady and Jeff Hendrick.
Former Westlife singer and Leeds United goalkeeper Nicky Byrne attended the football feast to give his view at half-time of the final on a radio station covering the event. The celebrity once played in nets for St Kevin’s Boys and is now a goalkeeping coach with the club.
Numerous scouts from English Premier League clubs were also present as they searched for the next rising star from the highly productive talent pool in North Dublin.
PRO for St Kevin’s Boys Neil Fox spoke excitedly to the Northside People a month ago when it was announced that Barcelona would attend, describing “it is a major coup for us.”
Although there was huge attention from both the media and clubs overseas, Mr Fox doesn’t feel that the talented group are under threat of being poached due to their young ages.
“I don’t believe we will see many players leave the club because most of these players are only 12 or 13,” he said.
“Instead I believe this is an opportunity to attract players to come to the club and play on this wonderful platform.”
Mr Fox also remains hopeful that one of the world’s most reputable academy tournaments can continue to grow in the future, although he admits the costly competition would be quick to welcome a stable sponsor.
Despite the costs involved, the event continues to be a success for all the clubs taking part but most importantly for Mr Fox, it gives the boys an opportunity to experience playing under the highest pressures.
“This competition was an eye-opener for the lads who played out of their comfort zones against players who play under continuously high expectations with larger clubs,” he added.
Mr Fox’s favourite moment was an easy one as he feels that moments such as the win against an academy side which produced Lionel Messi will live with the lads forever.
Brein McGinn
