Champions!

Special Olympics Soccer
Champions
Limerick Celtic SO 2, Cheeverstown SO (Dublin) 0

Limerick Celtic had the honour of bringing the first all-Ireland trophy of 2009 to the city when the won the Special Olympics Soccer League National Plate on Saturday last in the AUL grounds in Dublin. Having to face an early 11.00am kick-off time the locals shook off the travel blues when they raced into a two goal lead in the first ten minutes with a double strike from top goalscorer Mike Neville.

His first came from a smashing through ball from mid-field from John Paul Clohessy with Neville out-pacing the defence striking it past a helpless keeper, the second came from good inter-play work on the right wing with Paudie O'Lone putting in a cross and a close range finish from Neville.This seemed to stir up a shell-shocked Cheeverstown side who started to come more into the game but stern work from the Limerick defence marshalled by man-of-the -match Mick Daly and ably assisted by an outstanding performance by David Broderick ensured the locals keeper was untroubled throughout.

The second half saw Limerick control proceedings with John Paul Clohessy in excellent form striking the ball about opening gaps in the Dubliners defence but poor finishing and good goalkeeping prevented us from closing out the game completely.

The final whistle brought a massive cheer from the many delighted Limerick supporters who travelled to the game.Special Olympics Ireland secretary Jim Weatherill congratulated the Limerick Celtic team on their achievements in only their second year in the competition presenting the national plate trophy to Limerick captain Mick Daly and Ladies World Boxing Champion Katie Taylor presented Mick with the man-of-the-match trophy.


Victorious team: David Spellacy, David Broderick, Gearoid Greaney, Mick Daly, John Gleeson, Paudie O'Lone, Michael Carr, Mark Massey, Mike Neville, John Paul Clohessy, Joey Ryan. Reserves: Jeffrey Murphy, David O'Sullivan, Stephen McGrath, Darragh Laffan, Paul Sheehan.