In the soccer competition Tralee defeated their Romanian opponents in their final group game 8-2, with Dillon Robinson scoring 4 goals, Michael Slattery 2, and Michael O Gara and Kevin Williams one apiece. As a result we topped the group over Plock of Poland.
The Quarter Final draw pitted us against Kecskemet of Hungary and within 4 minutes a penalty from Dillon Robinson had us ahead. A brilliant free kick from them levelled matters within 3 minutes and then Tralee piled on the pressure, which resulted in a free kick on the edge of the box which Michael Slattery dispatched with aplomb under the wall. The same player repeated the dose in the 10th minute to lead 3-1, and a Sean Carmody header from a Micheal O Gara corner kick found the back of the net on the stroke of half time.
The score stayed at 4-1 until the 11th minute of the scond half when the Hungarians pulled one back.. It took Tralee 4 minutes to pull it back through Mike Slattery. Gearoig Fitzgerald ensured a 6-2 win in the last minute after a nice move between himself and Slattery.
Joyous scenes erupted with the Tralee supporters who cheered and applauded the team through clear air right up to the blue Alkmaar sky-and deservedly so.!! It was a great performance from a group of players working really hard and growing in confidence.
The draw for the Semi Final sees them play host city Alkmaar at 10:00 am tomorrow, Sunday. There will be as big a battle off the field as on it between the equally vociferous supporters of Alkmaar and Tralee.
But it is between the lines the game will be decided and if all can keep their focus and play to the best of their ability they have the potential to succeed. We wish them well .
Report by Mike Culloty Head of Tralee Delegation
