This is what summer football in Ireland is all about. Rain. Wind. Cold. Plain old miserable, awful conditions. But through the dark grey sky, came the sunlight - metaphorically speaking of course. There was no sunlight breaking though those clouds today.

 

Because despite the wonderful weather, there was a football tournament to win! 

 

Drogheda Boys were drawn in what turned out to be a very competitive group. The Boys got off to a flying start with a hard earned 2-1 victory over Firhouse Carmel and a slightly more comfortable 3-0 win over Parkvilla.

 

With two wins from two, passage to the Semi Final was secured. But there was still a matter of finishing top of the group and avoiding a possible matchup against tournament hosts Swords Celtic.

 

And so it came down to the final group game against St Marks in what was an exciting, open, attacking game from the start. Goals, goals, goals. Both teams threw everything at each other looking for the victory that would seal the group win. Come the end of the game though, the Boys were ultimately undone, losing out 4-3. 

 

Worse news followed. If Drogheda were to progress any further in the tournament, it was confirmed they had to do so by beating the hosts Swords Celtic.

 

The Semi Final kicked off and it was clear that the Boys were in for a tough encounter. But so to were Celtic. It was an extremely tight game with not much between the teams. A goal a piece meant the game was delicately poised at 1-1 heading into the final stages. Any error now would be costly. And then it happened. A stray pass from the Celtic back line was pounced upon my Michael Leddy and he duly punished them. The game ended and the Boys were on to the final.

 

As luck, or bad luck should i say, would have it, the opposition were none other than St Marks. The only team to have beaten Drogheda up to this point. Surely Marks had the psychological edge.

 

Not today though.

 

The Boys started the game in flying form, determined to ensure there was no repeat from their earlier meeting. Within 5 minutes Drogheda were 2 goals up and playing with style. The flood gates opened and it became the Michaels show. First up was Michael Soyemi scoring from halfway line. And then Michael Leddy scoring a thunder bolt from 35 yards out. From there Marks were never in the game. Ryan Campbell, Anthony O'Donnell and Daniel Reilly added to the score sheet as Drogheda closed the final out with a 7-1 win. 

 

Goal Scorers: Michael Soyemi 5, Michael Leddy 3, Ryan Campbell 3, Anthony O'Donnell 1, Daniel Reilly 1.

 

Squad: Ciaran O'Dwyer, David Masqui, Cole Everitt, William McSweeney, Kyle McElroy, Ben Sweeney, Josh Wall, Anthony O'Donnell, Esosa, Eoghan Maguire, Daniel Reilly, Ciaran Brannigan, Michael Leddy, Ryan Campbell, Michael Soyemi and Tristan Roe.