Phoenix FC U16 team set world cup on fire

A TEAM of young Northsiders did their country proud at the world’s largest youth football tournament last month.

Phoenix FC from Ashtown was competing along with almost 1,400 teams at the Gothia Cup in Gothenburg, Sweden.

The local club was one of over 170 teams that took part in the U16s section of the world cup tournament and was one of only four Irish teams playing in the Swedish capital.

The plucky youngsters ended up in the play-off B group after coming third in a tough opening group despite winning one of their games 7-0 and only losing once.

Their final group game was a 0-0 draw with Phoenix having a goal that would have seen them top the group controversially disallowed.

But the Ashtown team took off from there and stormed their way to the B Section play-off final, beating teams from Sweden, Norway, Mexico and England along the way and scoring 15 goals in the process.

In the final, Phoenix took on Beirut FAC from Lebanon and goals from Luke Dunne and Cian Nolan without reply ensured world cup glory for the Dubliners.

“It was a super day playing in front of 500 or 600 people in the Heden centre,” said proud team manager Joseph Gannon.

“We are the first team from Ireland to win anything at the Gothia Cup. Dundalk’s Seatown FC came close when they were beaten in the B section final last year.

“It’s what schoolboy football is all about, creating memories.”

Amongst those memories was Phoenix FC taking part in the opening ceremony where a crowd of 45,000 showed their support for the talented footballers.

Phoenix FC is nurturing local talent in Ashtown and have UEFA A license coaches Dave Nangle and Daire Doyle to help inspire them to further success.