Company Section

Junior 11 a Side Cup - W J Moore Cup

On a fine autumn afternoon, the third event of the Battalion sports calendar took place. The venue was Woodburn Playing Fields in Carrick. The event was the Junior 11 a Side League Cup.

This event has changed a little over the years. In years gone by, up to 10 companies were able to field an 11 a side junior team on their own but this is not the case anymore, for various reasons. It was good to have four teams taking part yesterday, each team representing two companies. The very fact that two companies are working together to field a combined team has to be a good thing.

The four teams taking part were 7th and 8th Carrick, 1st Greenisland and 4th Carrick, 2nd and 3rd Larne and 1st Ballyclare/1st Raloo (1st Ballyroo!). There was a great atmosphere about the afternoon, with boys gelling very naturally in their teams but also having a bit of craic with opposition players. Friendships built up in Battalion Team football were renewed.

The first round of matches saw 1st Ballyroo beating 1st Greenisland/4th Carrick 1-0 with a very late Josh Hunter goal. The other game saw 7th/8th Carrick beat 2nd/3rd Larne 4-0. Teams swapped around and in the second series, 7th/8th Carrick beat 1st Greenisland/4th Carrick 2-0. 1st Ballyroo beat 2nd/3rd Larne 7-1. The joy on the faces of the Larne players and supporters when they scored their goal was great to see.

The final round of games were like the position playoffs. 1st Greenisland/4th Carrick beat 2nd/3rd Larne to claim 3rd place, 7th/8th Carrick beat 1st Ballyroo 3-0 to win the mini league and claim the prize for the second year running.

Curtis Bell was the proud captain who lifted the trophy for 7th/8th Carrick. Adam Fittis of 8th Carrick won player of the tournament.

It was another great afternoon, a proper BB tournament. The two referees, Donald Blair and Jim Brennan, barely had to blow their whistles all afternoon. Everybody played the game in the spirit it is meant to be played in. Well done to all involved.