Rossglass County FC

Rossglass Juniors winners at Celtic Bhoys Tournament. Two of our four junior teams picked up trophies at the Celtic Bhoys annual tournament held at Dunleath last week. The Under 17 team made it to the final of the Plate but lost the final 4-2 to Rathrifland. Better news for the newly formed under 10 team playing in their fourth tournament of the pre-season.

After a slow start, the squad showed their fighting spirit and rallied under manager Danny McGarrity to earn the first trophy in their short existence. In previous events, the youngsters recorded two semi-final appearances against tough opposition but this time they went one better lifting the plate. Special praise to all the players for a monumental achievement. This win should give the team great confidence going in to their next tournament the Uhlsport Community Cup at Moyola Park FC in Magherafelt, 31st August. Former Manchester Utd player Pat McKibbon is guest of honour and will be presenting the trophies and medals on the night. We wish our young County team all the best in what is sure to be a tough test against Academy opposition.

After losing a close fought final in our own tournament, 1-0 to East Belfast, our 2012s first team were in top form at Dunleath. Our boys and girls made it all the way to the final of the cup without conceding a goal. They met a very good team in Celtic Bhoys in the final but eventually ran out 1-0 winners. Another great result for this young team who are playing some excellent football. Our 2012’s second team Rossglass Colts almost brought home the plate but finished runners-up in the end.

It was a fabulous weekend of football. Well done to all our boys and girls it was a fantastic experience for them. If you know anyone who would like to be part of this great team then please get in touch at www.rossglasscounty.com.Rossglass County would like to thank Celtic Bhoys FC for the invite and congratulate them on organising an excellent competition run in an efficient and friendly spirit.

Taylor University USA

Rossglass County has been courting a lot of international attention recently. Not only has the club’s new website been viewed in a host of different countries including Brazil, Peru, China, USA, Spain and Portugal to name but a few,  but our senior team will play Taylor University from Upland,  Indiana, USA,  21^st August. Taylor University have been coming to Ireland for the past 10 years and this will be their 6^th team to visit County Down. This year the reserve squad are coming to get some much needed pre-season training and to bond as a unit. We hope Rossglass County can help them in their preparations. The trip has been facilitated by Richie Shilliday from Dundrum, who runs a youth facility in the town.

It has also been announced that Rossglass will take a squad of senior players to central Portugal at the end of the current season to play SCE Bombarralense. The Portuguese club are based on the west coast, close to the Atlantic ocean, about 1 hour north of Lisbon and in a fertile wine growing region. Sporting Club Bombarralense has a long footballing tradition having been founded in 1911 and are one of the founding clubs of the Leiria Football Association. They have 30 appearances in the Portuguese cup to their name and with some famous victories over Sporting Lisbon and Benfica. Rossglass hope to set up a training camp and perhaps visit a few of the vine yards to sample some local wines when not on the pitch.

The newly formed under 10 team still needs new players. Rossglass County FC are having open training sessions this week. If you have a child who loves football, wants to be part of a team and have lots of fun then why not bring them along Thursday 16^th to Dunleath at 6pm. The kids will all be made very welcome.

We may have only started a new under 10 team but word spreads fast. Rossglass County have been chosen to play in the Under 10 Uhlsport Community Cup at Moyola Park FC in Magherafelt, 31^st August. Only 8 teams have been selected to play which include Ballymena Utd, Dungannon Swifts and Magherafelt Sky Blues. Former Manchester Utd player Pat McKibbon is guest of honour and will be presenting the trophies and medals on the night. We wish our young County team all the best in what is sure to be a tough test against Academy opposition.