'Sixes for Sean' event runs off smoothly as family are 'overwhelmed' by support
The well-organised 'Sixies for Sean' soccer tournament was completed today without a hitch with the event attended by a number of well known faces including Martina Cox who presented the trophies.
The organisers were originally hoping to generate something in the region of €5,000 for the Sean Cox Fund however the response has been so positive they are now expecting it will be closer to €20,000 with an on-line auction still going on.
In the auction there are a series of items up grabs such as two Champions' League final tickets, two Europe League final tickets. Also available are signed Republic of Ireland and Welsh jersies and a Limerick hurling jersey as well as other attractive items (see 'Sixes for Sean Auction' on Ratoath Harps website).
The soccer tournament started yesterday (Saturday) morning at 10.30 am and during Saturday and Sunday over 40 six-a-side games were played with finals in three categories played today.
The grand final was won by the Sonas Bathrooms that contained a number of highly skilled accomplished players including the former Republic of Ireland international Keith Fahey who played for the team on Saturday but opted to stay on the sidelines for today's action because of injury concerns.
The Sonas team, that included a number of players who have performed at League of Ireland level, defeated the colourfully named Ji Sung Park the Bus 4-2 in the final which was made up of players from the Dunshaughlin/Ratoath area. The trophy presented to the winners was the Aidan Conway Trophy.
In the semi-final Sonas had to work hard to overcome a young Kells FC team who are mainly made up of sixteen-year-olds who, despite their young age, performed heroically under teenager manager Joe Gilesnan and captain Cian McGlynn.
Kian Lynch put the youthful Kells side ahead but they were eventually overtaken by the far more experienced Sonas side. The young Kells/Blackwater players said they were very happy to pay the €300 to enter a team.
One of the chief organisers of the event that ran like clockwork was Brian Conway a well-known figure in local soccer circles. He was praised for his organisational skills at the end of the tournament in a speech made by NEFL Secretary and President of the LFA Gerry Gorman.
Other trophy winners included the Curragh Cubs who claimed the Roddy O'Neill Shield and the Ratoath based Scotty FC who took home the Mick Flood Cup.
Also in attendance was Sean Cox's younger sister, Sinead Skelton, who described the support from people generally as "overwhelming" and "emotional." Her sentiments were shared by Martina Cox.
Presentation of trophies by Martina Cox after the 'Sixes for Sean' event and speech by organiser Brian Conway.