International Futsal Tournament
Mountmellick 2003
Ireland
22/2/2003

Irish soccer star to attend futsal event in Mountmellick ...

NEW Football Association of Ireland Technical Director Packie Bonner is to attend the first annual Loughnane Sportswear Futsal Cup tournament in Mountmellick, Ireland, next Saturday (February 22).

The Irish footballing legend will be in attendance at the exciting event that will see the County Laois town host teams from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Moldova.

Bonner was the star of the 1990 World Cup for Ireland, saving a critical penalty in the shoot-out victory over Romania. He also appeared at USA 94 and played for Celtic.

Moldovans Camelot FC will become the first professional futsal side to visit Ireland and their presence at the tournament is sure to draw a large crowd to the Mountmellick Community Sports Centre.

Fresh from their recent success at the Penalty Cup futsal tournament in Switzerland, English side Tranmere are likely to be keen contenders for the title.

The last major futsal event in Ireland was the Masita Cup which took place in Dublin last February and was won by the Dublin select, who will be looking to make an impact again this year.

FAI Regional Development Officer Ger Dunne has helped bring this prestigous event to Laois and recently introduced futsal to the area in the form of the Midlands Futsal League.

"It's an exciting week for futsal with the UEFA Championships taking place in Italy at the moment and it's great to think that Mountmellick will be hosting a major event at the same time," said Dunne.

"Futsal is still very new to Ireland, let alone the Midlands, so we are all just looking to learn off the other sides who'll have a lot more experience than our guys."

Futsal is the official FIFA version of five-a-side football and is generally played indoors with a slightly weighted ball, which promotes skilful play.

The Moldovans have been grouped with youthful Lancashire side Santos, the Dublin select and Grimsby team Grainthorpe. In Group B, the Midlands face Tranmere, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Timetable

Game Time Match
1 11.00 A - Camelot v Santos
2 11.25 A - Dublin v Grainthorpe
3 11.50 B - Scotland v Tranmere
4 12.15 B - Midlands v Northern Ireland
5 12.40 A - Camelot v Grainthorpe
6 1.05 A - Dublin v Santos
7 1.30 B - Scotland v Northern Ireland
8 1.55 B - Midlands v Tranmere
9 2.20 A - Camelot v Dublin
10 2.45 A - Santos v Grainthorpe
11 3.10 B - Scotland v Midlands
12 3.35 B - Tranmere v Northern Ireland
13 4.00 7-8 Placing: 4th A v 4th B
14 4.25 Semi-final 1st A v 2nd B
15 4.50 Semi-final 1st B v 2nd A
16 5.15 5-6 Placing: 3rd A v 3rd B
17 5.40 Final