Last week the IT Sligo Charitable Sports Club held the final of their Charity soccer competition played over the previous 6 weeks, with over 100 players and eight teams participating. A notable feature of this year’s final was that it moved from the Sligo Regional Sports Complex to the new flood lit astro turf pitch at IT Sligo.
The final was a huge success and, when the final monies are counted, it is anticipated that in excess of €5,000 will have been raised. More than €170,000 has been raised for worthy causes by the club, since it was established 11 years ago.
This year the money collected will go to Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Medical and Research Fund, Crumlin. Other registered charities that have benefitted down the years include the North West Hospice, GOAL, Cystic Fibrosis and the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Two games were played; the first a friendly match between staff and students comprising the best players of the competition whose teams did not reach the final, and an IT Sligo staff selection with three talented ‘guest’ players Darren Kearn, Jason McCartney and Steve Feeney. Even though the staff lost for the first time in five years, it was a very exciting game ending in a 3-2 victory for the students.
In the final itself it was an all ‘Carpenters’ affair with Phase 6 ‘EF’ Carpenters getting the upper hand with a 2-0 victory; the goals coming very late in the game against a gallant Phase 6 ‘AB’ Carpenters side.
For the winners, Donegal man, team captain and goalkeeper Michael Doohan showed great leadership along with Galway Man Aaron Curley, while Stephen Gilhooley from Leitrim was the hero of the night with two excellent strikes in the last five minutes of the game. For the runners up, Lee Archbold stood out and his performances throughout the competition also earned him the accolade of ‘Player of the Tournament’.
Organiser John Joe O Reilly, who is Chairman of IT Sligo Charity Sports Club was delighted with the enthusiasm of all involved:
“We are absolutely delighted. Side events like the selling of class photos also helped raise extra money. It is a huge undertaking and all the staff in the Department of Applied Technology have made it a tremendous success. The new facilities at the IT Sligo astro turf pitch are superb.
“There was great enthusiasm shown in all sixteen games over the six weeks. Many students commented that it was something they really looked forward to every week. And all for a most worthy charity. We are thankful to Gerry Cully of Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital for speaking to all of the classes who took part in the event.”
The IT Sligo Charitable Sports club would like to thank their main sponsors Shenanigans who were also their first sponsors over 11 years ago. Gratitude was also extended to the staff at the Sligo Regional Sports Centre where the event had been held in previous years. Thanks were also extended to Sligo Credit Union, John Kent Sports and Jacko Sports, whose assistance ensured the successful running of the tournament. It is hoped that another two competitions will be held over the academic year.
