Un-Athletico Madrid Win Thomas Murphy Cup

The champs…

atest release from the Sinn Féin Press Office, issued on Saturday, August 31st 2024…

Cathaoirleach of Bray MD, Sinn Féin Cllr Dermot ‘Daisy’ O’Brien was full of praise for this year’s community football tournament organised by Bray Travellers and the Wicklow Sports Promotion Unit.

Three nights of five a-side action saw two teams battle their way to the Final. Wicklow fc who were unbeaten in the tournament faced off against Un-Athletico Madrid who started slow but built momentum as the competition progressed.

Un-Athletico Madrid managed to peak at the right time and the quality of their football saw them run out 3-0 winners in the Final. Wicklow goalkeeper Bill O’Brien received the ‘player of the final’ award after a magnificent performance but it wasn’t enough to prevent the lads from Un-Athletico and their captain Killian O’Brien from lifting the cup for the first time!

As Jim O’Brien from Bray Travellers hosted the trophy presentation he acknowledged the members of Thomas Murphy’s family who the tournament is named after and also gave a warm welcome to local Olympic hero Daina Moorehouse who was on hand to present the Cup. He thanked the ever present referee Brendan and reminded all of the people who were present that next year would be the 25th Anniversary of the tournament.

Finally Cathaoirleach Cllr O’Brien shared his own appreciation for how much a part of the community this competition has been year after year. “Jim has never wavered in his commitment to this tournament, we both played in it back in the early days and while the format has changed a few times, what has never changed is the spirit of this type of community based football competition.

“I would never miss the chance to come up and cheer on the players young and old while also connecting and reconnecting with families who are here to watch!” he concluded.

“And the 25th anniversary is going to be something very special…”