Tinryland host South East Sevens Football Tournament

The South East Underage Sevens Football Tournament which is hosted by Tinryland GFC at their grounds on the Wexford Road has proven to a be hugely popular for teams from some of the top clubs in the country. The tournament caters for under 12, 14 and 16 boys and girls over three weekends.

At the weekend just gone, the club hosted the under 12 age groups with fourteen girls teams taking part and eighteen boys teams also playing. The week before it was the turn of the under 16 teams to pit themselves each other and next Saturday and Sunday the girls and boys under 14 teams respectively will play in Tinryland.

A combined total of 32 teams will take part in the under 14 and while 32 teams also played in the under 16 event. This is the fourth year the games have taken place.

“It is designed to promote football at the highest level and give Carlow teams an exposure to playing teams they wouldn’t normally meet in their own domestic championships,” explained one of the organisers, Eamonn Byrne who says it is all about taking part while winning is only the icing on the cake.

The club have combined technology and the love of football to make sure everyone enjoys their stay in Tinryland GFC.

When clubs arrive for the day, they are asked to download the Tournify Ap which gives all the information about the tournament.

“It works like a treat. Everyone has all the scores on the Ap, who they are playing, who is refereeing and where they have to go to. All the information is on the Ap,” emphasises Eamonn.

So far, the club has seen a trend but this event is just getting bigger and bigger with every passing year.

“Kildare team tend to dominate the boys tournaments. Laois teams tend to dominate the girls matches. We have had a visit from Crossmaglen. We have teams from Waterford and Wexford taking part. Cuala have been very supportive.

“Three provinces and Connacht is the one we have to tap into,” explains Byrne who praises the referees, the volunteers, the visitors and a strong local organising who ensure everything runs off like clockwork.

The day starts off with a parade and teams marching under their club banners. A rendition of Amhrán na bhFiann precipitates the start of the games.

“Everyone is guaranteed four games to the knock-out stages up to the quarter-finals. You could have six games to win the tournament,” explains Eamonn.

The cups and shields are called after great Tinryland club members including Peenie Whelan, Mickey Whelan, Tommy O’Neill, Cora Townsend, Ned Hayden, Mary Dwyer and Pat Doyle.

Eamonn Byrne tells a story about the spirit of the games.

“Last week Crossmaglen Rangers were knocked out with the last kick of the game against Rathvilly under 16 boys. They had come down to win it. As they were leaving they said they would be back to win it next year.” 

 This year, Carlow clubs teams, Rathvilly beat Celbridge in the Boys under 12 final while O’Hanrahan’s girls won the Shield.

Previous Carlow winners include Palatine (2022 Under 12 Boys Cup), Fighting Cocks (2022 under 12 Girls Cup), Rathvilly (2024 under 14 Girls Cup), Palatine ( 2024 under 14 Girls Shield) and Fenagh (2023 under 16 Girls Shield). We'll feature the boys tournament next week.