Lisburn Distillery claim three titles at Indoor Festival
Wednesday, 12 November 2008
Hayley Boyd (Belfast), Brook Baine (Ballybeen), IFA Coach Jackie, Nichola Irvine (Beechmount), Rebecca Russell (Newtownabbey) and Rebecca McWilliams (Newtownabbey)
THE Dale Farm Indoor Festival took place on Sunday at the Valley Leisure Centre, with Lisburn Distillery proving to be the team of the day winning three out of the four indoor titles.
In the Under 15 section Distillery secured a place in the final by beating Co Armagh side Glenavon 1 - 0 in a thrilling semi final game.
They were joined by New Mossley Flames who narrowly defeated Celtic Girls in the other semi. The final showdown proved to be a tense occasion but the Lisburn side came out on top thanks to Lauren Walker who scored both goals in the two nil victory.
The Under 13 semi finals also produced some exciting football with Lisburn Distillery and Glentoran edging past their opponents Belvoir Girls and Celtic Girls, respectively, by a one nil margin. Both Glentoran and Lisburn Distillery displayed some fantastic football in the final, but the experienced Distillery team celebrated the victory following goals from Stacey Murdock and Courtney Johnston.
Lisburn Distillery completed their hat-trick of titles by winning the Under 11 final. Following a four nil defeat of Glentoran in the semi finals, they were joined by the impressive Blackieville Girls in the final. Both teams played some scintillating football, but it was a Denise Bingham goal that separated the two and clinched the title for Distillery.
Lisburn Distillery manager William McCann was thrilled with his club's performances in the tournament: "I am delighted for all our girls today. We have a fabulous group of players at the club and today demonstrated the improvements our girls are making. Our aim now is to have a senior club to ensure that our players have somewhere to progress to when they get older."
In the newly created Under 9 section the First Kicks Academy claimed their first piece of silverware, with Blackieville Girls finishing in runners up position.
Commenting after the event IFA Women's Football Coordinator, Sara Booth said: "We had 31 teams taking part today and it was brilliant to see so many players and parents attending the event. The highlight of the day had to be the newly introduced Under 9 section in which the players were just so excited to play in their first ever tournament. They made the day very enjoyable for the organisers.
“Our thanks must be extended once again to Dale Farm for their continued support, all the staff and of course the players, parents and club officials."
