7-a-side soccer is back after three-year break

In news that will come as music to the ears of the local soccer community, Killarney Athletic have confirmed that the club’s popular 7-a-side competition is making a comeback for summer 2023.

The staging of the annual soccer tournament, which was founded in 1977, was interrupted during the pandemic but this week Athletic unveiled details of the latest instalment.

“We are delighted to be celebrating our 44th year of this event,” Killarney Athletic chairman Donie Murphy said. “After a three-year absence, we hope for an exciting comeback and that the event will be bigger and better than ever.”

The tournament is set to kick off at the club’s base in Woodlawn on Monday, June 19 with competitions being played off over the course of a few weeks. There will be categories for boys and girls from U10 to U16 as well as senior women, senior men, and over 35s. For the first time ever, underage matches will be played on the club’s new artificial pitch.

“We are proud to be the main sponsor of this event, especially in light of its 44th year anniversary,” Mark Murphy, CEO of Killarney, Kenmare and Cahersiveen Credit Union, said. “We would like to wish the organisers and all participants the best of luck in this year’s tournament.”

There will be a range of accolades handed out as part of the event including the Premier and Reserve Cups, the Kieran Cahillane Senior Player of the Tournament Award, and the Johnny Heffernan Underage Player of the Tournament Award. There will also be free entry to the 2024 tournament for the Premier Cup winners. The closing date for all ages (to be returned to the Credit Union in Killarney) is Friday, June 2 before 5.30pm. The draw will take place on Tuesday, June 6 at Scotts Hotel.

Further information is available at killarneyathletic.com.

LAUNCH: At the launch of the 2023 Killarney Athletic 7-a-side were (front) Donie Murphy (Killarney Athletic Chairman), Mark Murphy (CEO Killarney/ Kenmare/Cahersiveen Credit Union) and Colette Casey (Tournament Director).

Back: Karena McCarthy (Marketing Manager, Killarney Credit Union), Brendan Moloney (Killarney Athletic Senior Coach), Dara Moynihan (Killarney Credit Union) and Martin Muldoon (Killarney Athletic Juvenile Secretary).

Michelle Cooper Galvin.