Republican News · Thursday 25 September 2002

St Teresa's puts kids first

Sinn Féin Mayor of Belfast Alex Maskey was at St Teresa's GAA club on the Glen Road in West Belfast on Saturday, 7 September, to meet the finalists in the Jimmy McCool Cup.

This is the first year St Teresa's organised their tournament for Under 10 footballers from clubs in Belfast. The trophies were named after two men who were stalwarts of St Teresa's Jimmy McCool and Desy Hill, and members of their families presented the trophies to the winners.

The tournament was eventually won by St John's, who beat O'Donovan Rossa's in the final. St Gall's and St Brigid's played off for the Desy Hill Shield. Maskey presented the medals to the winning and losing teams.

Up to 120 children played in matches during the all-day competition, which was played in a great sporting spirit.

Maskey praised the teams who participated and he spoke of the commitment of Jimmy McCool and Desy Hill to the club. St Teresa's has a rich tradition. Both Kieran Doherty and Joe McDonnell, who died in the 1981 Hunger Strike, were playing members of the club.

"This is our first year running this tournament and next year we want it to be bigger and better," said Tony Taylor, one of the organisers. "The fact that we had over 120 children under 10 playing out there is a good thing and we want to use the tournament to encourage children to play football and to show them that all the work they do throughout the year is worthwhile."