This is in today's Camden New Journal. The journalist is a friend of Isaac Warshal's and plays footie and had heard of Max's tournament over the years. This year he came along and spoke to us and took some pics.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
A Long Time Coming
The 7th Max O'Connell cup took place on Saturday, August 11, 2012. It was the culminating event of an action packed, inspiring summer of sport that started with the Euros, was quickly followed by a fantastic London Olympics and fittingly rounded off with the biggest one of all - Max's tournament.
Although it was a slightly smaller event than the last two years, with 8 teams competing, it was as always a great day enjoyed by many. Babies and young kids were running around and being spoiled, the parents put on a spread of food and drink that was devoured and the football was once again top class.
The familiar teams were all there in one form or another. South Kilburn, Queens Park, Dave Ferguson's All Stars, Pele Pele, Jamie Shamas, Newcastle and the Hampstead Younger Older boys (Team GB) all represented. A new look West Hampstead were even there, missing the formidable Nelson brothers, but captained by Daniel Blenman, who as always, put up a serious challenge.
Once underway, the group stages flowed like clock work. Queens Park needed a win in their final game to secure qualification and, through goal difference, managed to top the group ahead of South Kilburn. It was more dramatic in the other group with Jamie Shamas going out on goal difference after losing their final game to Daniel Blenman. One man's victory is another man's heartbreak and so it proved.
Topping the group meant a first meeting between Dave Stars and Queens Park. Dave Stars, always dangerous with David Ferguson's trickery and trusty left foot didn't have quite enough left in the tank and a solid Queens Park display, led by two goal hero Dash Lilley, eased them into their first final in five years, 4-0.
The second semi, between South Kilburn and Daniel B was as tight as they come. 1-1 after normal time, someone needed to step up and be a hero. Daniel B was that man scoring in the first half of extra time to take them into the final.
As the sun shone down once again, the finalists took their places in the cage. Both teams were feeling the heat and the exertions of the previous 4 games but it was Queens Park that settled into a rhythm first and looked to be in control. Daniel B's team, with the human brick wall that is Vidal at the back were proving difficult to break down, but eventually they succumbed to the pressure. Hassling by Isaac near the area caused the ball to rebound off the back board to the edge of the area where Tom Quested was waiting, ready to stab the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Daniel B's team responded quickly, robbing the ball in the middle of the park, sauntering forward and unleashing a shot that was too much to stop. 1-1.
Extra time beckoned and no one could make the breakthrough. It was penalties.
Louis stepped up to take the first. It was struck cleanly, but the keeper made the save. But Queens Park had a secret weapon. Dave Mooney, making his debut in goal, is an imposing figure to say the least. He made him self big and that was enough to put Jed off and save his penalty. Still 0-0. Now it was Dash's turn. He set the ball, picked his spot and unleashed a solid, well placed shot to the left of the keeper who had no chance.
Could Daniel B's men equalise? Not with Mooney in goal. His second penalty save of the day meant that Theo was stepping up to take the winning penalty that would etch Queens Park's name on the trophy for the very first time. His pre-pen nerves proved to be nothing more than modesty as he lashed the ball into the top left hand corner. Queens Park had won. He was mobbed. Celebrations began.
A tangible sense of relief filtered through the players, friends and family. Dave Ferguson, gracious in defeat, sporting his 7th t-shirt paying homage to Max aka Ducky, gave a touching speech and handed over the trophy.
It was, once again, a brilliant day and a fitting tribute to Max. As Jamie Robertson said, if Max had been here we may have won the trophy earlier. As it is, we congregate, from all lover North London, with an amazing spirit, to remember Max and the things he loved.
This one was for you Max. We finally did it. See you all next year.
xXx
Winners: Queens Park
Runners Up: Daniel B
Max of the Day: Dash Lilley
Top Scorers: Dash Lilley, Scott Nelmes (5)
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Although it was a slightly smaller event than the last two years, with 8 teams competing, it was as always a great day enjoyed by many. Babies and young kids were running around and being spoiled, the parents put on a spread of food and drink that was devoured and the football was once again top class.
The familiar teams were all there in one form or another. South Kilburn, Queens Park, Dave Ferguson's All Stars, Pele Pele, Jamie Shamas, Newcastle and the Hampstead Younger Older boys (Team GB) all represented. A new look West Hampstead were even there, missing the formidable Nelson brothers, but captained by Daniel Blenman, who as always, put up a serious challenge.
Once underway, the group stages flowed like clock work. Queens Park needed a win in their final game to secure qualification and, through goal difference, managed to top the group ahead of South Kilburn. It was more dramatic in the other group with Jamie Shamas going out on goal difference after losing their final game to Daniel Blenman. One man's victory is another man's heartbreak and so it proved.
Topping the group meant a first meeting between Dave Stars and Queens Park. Dave Stars, always dangerous with David Ferguson's trickery and trusty left foot didn't have quite enough left in the tank and a solid Queens Park display, led by two goal hero Dash Lilley, eased them into their first final in five years, 4-0.
The second semi, between South Kilburn and Daniel B was as tight as they come. 1-1 after normal time, someone needed to step up and be a hero. Daniel B was that man scoring in the first half of extra time to take them into the final.
As the sun shone down once again, the finalists took their places in the cage. Both teams were feeling the heat and the exertions of the previous 4 games but it was Queens Park that settled into a rhythm first and looked to be in control. Daniel B's team, with the human brick wall that is Vidal at the back were proving difficult to break down, but eventually they succumbed to the pressure. Hassling by Isaac near the area caused the ball to rebound off the back board to the edge of the area where Tom Quested was waiting, ready to stab the ball into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Daniel B's team responded quickly, robbing the ball in the middle of the park, sauntering forward and unleashing a shot that was too much to stop. 1-1.
Extra time beckoned and no one could make the breakthrough. It was penalties.
Louis stepped up to take the first. It was struck cleanly, but the keeper made the save. But Queens Park had a secret weapon. Dave Mooney, making his debut in goal, is an imposing figure to say the least. He made him self big and that was enough to put Jed off and save his penalty. Still 0-0. Now it was Dash's turn. He set the ball, picked his spot and unleashed a solid, well placed shot to the left of the keeper who had no chance.
Could Daniel B's men equalise? Not with Mooney in goal. His second penalty save of the day meant that Theo was stepping up to take the winning penalty that would etch Queens Park's name on the trophy for the very first time. His pre-pen nerves proved to be nothing more than modesty as he lashed the ball into the top left hand corner. Queens Park had won. He was mobbed. Celebrations began.
A tangible sense of relief filtered through the players, friends and family. Dave Ferguson, gracious in defeat, sporting his 7th t-shirt paying homage to Max aka Ducky, gave a touching speech and handed over the trophy.
It was, once again, a brilliant day and a fitting tribute to Max. As Jamie Robertson said, if Max had been here we may have won the trophy earlier. As it is, we congregate, from all lover North London, with an amazing spirit, to remember Max and the things he loved.
This one was for you Max. We finally did it. See you all next year.
xXx
Winners: Queens Park
Runners Up: Daniel B
Max of the Day: Dash Lilley
Top Scorers: Dash Lilley, Scott Nelmes (5)
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