Thanks for that Alex. You took the time to research this info so well done you. Wouldn't it have been better for our boys development to have entered the sections which included the Pro teams? OK we can't expect to compete against the Man U's of this world mainly because of funding (which includes employment of coaches, facilities etc)and location but what a learning experience it would be for our boys. The city of Aberdeen hosts a tournament which now attracts the likes of Dundee Utd, Celtic and even Ross County but there was no sign of us competing there. I hope I'm wrong here but I feel we may be entering tournaments we feel we have a chance of winning and not pitting our wits against the best out there. I'm sure Charlie and his coaches do their best to get our kids up to a level dictated by the funding available but the the Club really has to take Youth DEVELOPMENT seriously and find some sugar daddy who has the means to fund this great cause SERIOUSLY! The club has made considerable progress over the years but we are still not producing any more kids, capable of playing regular first team football, than we were in the 90's. Charlie's department can only do so much with the money available.
Teams in bold are professional sides in the League of Ireland set-up. Crumlin United are a hugely successful Irish boys club similar to Hutchison Vale in Edinburgh or Wallsend Boys Club in Newcastle. In fact I'll think you'll find that they have produced players such as Mr A Rooney. I'm sure the standard faced by the boys would have good enough for their development.
Sorry Hiro but I don't agree. The League of Ireland is part-time. Boys clubs are all very well and I know they produce some jewels but we are a Scottish Premier League club and should now be ahead of boys clubs and part-time levels.
The standard of Irish youth football is definitely comparable to that of Scottish youth football. Although our two teams did not win their respective tourneys they did however give a good account off themselves. What you have to realise is that these tournaments are geared towards local Premier Irish teams winning and I'm 99.9999999% that the referees are fully briefed on this.
In defence of the U13 squad - I think the tournament started too soon for them. Two defeats were followed by three consecutive wins which meant that they just missed out on the finals.
Im looking forward to the tourney next year and another trip to Temple Bar!!!!
Cmon the Caley Thistle!!!!!!!!!!!