Seven-a-side tournament to honour Pat Lacey

BY GER McCARTHY

A MEMORIAL ‘Festival of Football’ 7-a-side soccer tournament in honour of the late Pat Lacey will take place in the BEDA Grounds in Ballineen this month.

Former Cork City manager John Caulfield is part of a committee that has come together to organise a seven-a-side soccer tournament in memory of former West Cork League and West Cork Schoolboys League stalwart Pat Lacey.

A prize-fund of €1,000 – kindly sponsored by GP Wood – is on offer for the winners of a one-day 16-team tournament to be held in the BEDA Grounds in Ballineen on June 9th. 

There is a €50 entry fee for any club, businesses, organisation or group of friends that wishes to enter a ten-player squad. All proceeds collected will be distributed to local charities. Refreshments and shower facilities will be available at the BEDA Hall on the day of the tournament with a 16-team entry limit.

‘We are delighted to be able to facilitate and run a tournament in Pat’s honour,’ commented BEDA Community Chairperson Kieran O’Driscoll. 

‘Pat was totally committed to the local community. He was highly respected by everybody in the area and in the West Cork region. He was very much into sports, all kinds of sports. Soccer was his first love but he was a great help to us in the GAA as well. He was well known in road bowling and horse racing circles as well. Everybody loved Pat.’

Organising a one-day tournament involving 16 teams, over 160 players plus their supporters and friends is not an easy thing to do. Luckily, there is a huge community spirit within the Balineen and Enniskeane area of West Cork.

‘Pat Lacey ran many events on behalf of BEDA and others organisations so we know people will come out and support our one-day soccer tournament,’ Kieran O’Driscoll stated.

‘He was popular and did so much for our community so having an event like this is a fitting way to pay tribute to his memory. 

‘We are hoping for a big turn out as it will be a special occasion. We hope the day will be fine too but there is a dedicated committee involved including John Caulfield. They have done Trojan work already so even though there is short time span we are hoping the event will be well supported.’

Registration for the tournament takes place in the BEDA Hall on Friday, June 7th with an entrance fee of €50 per team. Contact David O’Donovan on 086-3187527 for details.