Mixed Bag United

The venue is the Scarriff GAA all-weather pitch on Sat June 4th. There will be two groups of five teams. Each team will play the other teams in their group in a league. Standard points allocation applies. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knock out stages (semi finals, final). Registration of teams and payment in full must happen before start of play. Refreshments available locally.   Registration for Group 1 will take place between 9.30am and 9.45am; Group 1 matches will kick off at 10.00am. Group 1 Teams:          

• Mixed Bag Athletic
• Chops FC
• Bantasaurus Rekt
• Sean Bean Sex Machine
• The Wooden Boys

  Registration for Group 2 will take place between 12pm and 12.15pm; Group 2 matches will kick off at 12.30pm.           Group 2 Teams:          

• The Wolf Pack
• Ballina Boys
• Misfits Utd
• Clare Corinthians
• Spice of Life Boys

  Any team that delays the start of a game by 5 mins will concede that game 1-0. Rules of Competition 1. Eight-a-side matches, 15 minutes long, no half-time break. Captains will toss up to choose end before match. Max 2 subs allowed - roll-on, roll-off, player coming off must leave the pitch before the sub comes on. Subs allowed on/off as many times as they wish. 2. Ball allowed to be played in the air as in normal 11-a-side game. 3. Ball kicked out over fence - play restarted by opposing team with throw in or goal kick where it left field. 4. Ball touches outside of net (back or side) – keeper’s ball. 5. Goalkeeper area marked on pitch, keeper can only handle ball inside this (but is free to move in and out of area, as are all players). 6. All free kicks direct, opposition must be 5 yards away. No run up is permitted for penalties. 7. Goalkeeper touches ball with hand from back pass, or keeps ball in his hands for more than 6 seconds - penalty. 8. In league stages: if two teams are level on points, goal difference will count, then goals scored, then the head to head record. If still level then a penalty shoot out will be held to decide final positions in group. 9. Knock-out stages: if teams are level- penalty shoot-out; each team takes 5 penalties, then sudden death. A sub may take a penalty. No player can take a second penalty till all team mates have taken one 10. Play will not be stopped unless: injury to goalkeepers, serious injury to outfield player, or head injury. Otherwise play will continue at all times. The ball can bounce off the fence without play stopping. If the ball hits the low wire or lands on top of net – drop ball. Attention should be received off the field of play. 11. There will be no added time, except for stoppages mentioned above. 12. Each team is expected to bring a set of matching shirts or bibs. 13. Each team or player is advised to be covered by insurance (individual or Group) as Mixed Bag United will not accept any liability for injuries or accidents that occur on the day, nor will it accept any liability for the personal belongings of players. 14. Each team should bring water bottles. There is a tap on site. The Red Cross will be present, but you might like to bring basic first aid supplies. 15. Players can register for a second team, but must pay the entry fee for each. 16. In exceptional circumstances a team may call upon extra substitutes, but this can only happen with the approval of the organisers and the captain of the opposing team. 17. Metal studs are not allowed.   Disciplinary Rules. PLEASE NOTE:- The referee’s decision is final. Any player arguing with the referee is liable to be cautioned. All the normal rules of soccer apply. In addition: 1. If a player receives one yellow card in a match, that caution will not be carried into the next match, and the player will be caution free for the next game. 2. If a player receives two yellow cards in the same match, he will be dismissed and will be ineligible for the next game. 3. If a player receives a straight red card he will be dismissed and ineligible for the next game. 4. If a player receives a straight red card for any of the following offences, he will be dismissed immediately and will be ineligible for the remainder of the tournament: Violent Conduct; Serious foul-play; Spitting A representative from Ennis and Clare Samaritans will present the winning team with the Iniscealtra Community Cup. Any queries contact Phil (087 2368777). Best of luck in the tournament.

Once again Mixed Bag United are running a football tournament, as part of the Mountshannon Festival of Arts (see mountshannonarts.net). This year's festival has the theme 'Season of Magic', so it's the perfect occasion for spellbinding skill and wizardry on the field to take centre stage. This will be our ninth year running the tournament, which has become a popular feature on the local football calendar. There’s a trophy for the winners, and a fantastic day of football for everybody! Interested?… places are limited, so get a team together and get in touch! Details below… Mixed Bag United are running a charity 8 a side tournament on Saturday June 4^th 2016. The venue will be the all-weather pitch at Scariff GAA Club. There will be a maximum of ten teams, so places are limited – apply early to avoid missing out. The teams will be divided into two leagues of four or five teams. In the first stage the teams will play the other teams in their league. Matches will last approximately 15 or 20 minutes (depending on the number of teams in the group). The top two teams in each league will qualify for the knockout stage, which will consist of two semi finals and a final. The winning team will be presented with the Iniscealtra Community Cup - which is to have their team name engraved upon it, and which they can display in a public venue of their choice for a year. A full set of rules will be posted on the website at a later date, with all the details of teams and groups. If you would like to enter a team then contact Phil on 087 2368777. You can guarantee your place with a €50 deposit (non-refundable) to be received before Friday 13^th May. You can have up to 10 players in your team. The cost of entry is €10 per player. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TO THE ENNIS AND CLARE BRANCH OF SAMARITANS

The annual Mixed Bag Christmas gathering saw us play a great game, eat a lovely meal and rack our brains with a quiz. Fancy having a go?...here are the questions:

1. Which has the highest mountain: Earth or Mars?
2. What are the small indentations on a golf ball called?
3. Which city in the world has the largest population?
4. With what device are earthquakes recorded?
5. Name the yellow Telly Tubby
6. What are Alpha Centauri and Sirius?
7. Which actress was the lead star in High Society?
8. Which 60s rock group recorded "Lighter Shade of Pale"?
9. Clean, Jerk, and Snatch are terms used in which activity?
10. Which country is bordered by both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans?
11. In which country would one find 8 of the world's 10 highest mountains?
12. Which is the world's second-largest country in land area?
13. What is the most common blood type in humans?
14. The name of which area in the Pacific means "many islands"?
15. What is the only word in English ending in the letters 'mt'?
16. When there are two full moons in the same month, what is the second called?
17. Who wrote "Waiting for Godot"?
18. What is the name given to the process of signalling with two flags?
19. What is the currency of Switzerland?
20. What is the business term for assets which can be immediately turned into cash?
21. Which country beginning with a 'T' has a shoreline on the Andaman Sea?
22. Which is the largest planet in the solar system?
23. Which Beatle married a Bond girl?
24. Which instrument did Louis Armstrong play?
25. Which Irish-American playwright wrote Moon for the Misbegotten, Long Day's Journey Into Night and The Iceman Cometh?
26. On which street do Bert and Ernie live?
27. One tablespoon = how many teaspoons?
28. What does a philatelist do?
29. Which mythological figure flew so close to the sun that the wax on his wings began to melt?
30. What is the green pigment in plants called?
31. In terms of the amount of alcohol you get, which is the most expensive: whiskey, beer, or wine?
32. Which country has the largest Christian population?
33. What does a taxidermist do?
34. What’s the maximum length of a test match in cricket?
35. Which country produces the most wind power per capita?

There were a few brainteasers too:

1. John and Jack’s combined age is 91. John is now twice as old as Jack was when John was as old as Jack is now. How old are they?
2. Two sons are born to the same woman at the same time of the same day of the same year, yet they are not twins. How can this be?
3. Is it correct to say “the yolk of the eggs are white” or “the yolk of the eggs is white”?
4. What goes through the front door, but never enters or leaves the house?
5. Even though we may never have our own entry in the Guinness Book of Records, there is one record that each of us holds at some point in our lives. What is it?
6. There is a tunnel with a single railway track going through it. One day two trains enter and leave the tunnel on the track going in opposite directions, without stopping, at exactly eight o’clock but they do not crash. How could this be?
7. I often go to the local police station, usually early in the morning or late at night when there aren’t many people around, and destroy large numbers of fingerprints… yet I am not a criminal. Who am I?
8. One day Kerry celebrated her birthday. Two days later her older twin brother, Terry, celebrated his birthday. Is this possible?

see below for the answers!     Quiz answers:

1. Mars
2. Dimples
3. Shanghai (24 million)
4. Seismograph
5. La La
6. Stars
7. Grace Kelly
8. Procol Harum
9. Weight lifting
10. Republic of South Africa
11. Nepal
12. Canada
13. Type O
14. Polynesia
15. Dreamt
16. Blue Moon
17. Samuel Beckett
18. Semaphore
19. Swiss Franc
20. Liquid assets
21. Thailand
22. Jupiter
23. Ringo Starr
24. Trumpet
25. Eugene O'Neill
26. Sesame St.
27. Three
28. Collects stamps
29. Icarus
30. Chlorophyll
31. Beer
32. USA
33. Stuffs animals
34. Five days
35. Denmark

Brainteaser answers:

1. 52 and 39 years old
2. They are triplets
3. Neither – the yolk is yellow
4. The keyhole
5. We are the youngest person in the world
6. One travels at 8am, the other at 8pm
7. The cleaner
8. Yes. The mother was on a cruise near the International Date Line. Terry was born on March 1^st, before the ship crossed the Date Line and Kerry was born on 28^th Feb. In a leap year her birthday is two days before her brother’s.

This year's tournament saw a new trophy - the Iniscealtra Community Cup - and new champions - BantasaurusRekt. It was a great effort from the team, who only entered the tournament the day before when a team had to drop out. The tournament formed a part of the Mountshannon Arts Festival. It was a charity event, and all proceeds - €1150 in total - were donated to Ennis and Clare Samaritans to help fund their invaluable work. Group 1 Group 1 began with the meeting of the two teams who would also compete in the final. Both newcomers to the tournament, they served up a treat which saw Ballina Boys come back from 3-1 down to win 4-3. This was followed by a close match between Mixed Bag and Lough Graney, who were also playing in the tournament for the first time. Mixed Bag held a one goal lead entering the final minute, but couldn't hold on and the game ended in a draw. An under strength Derg United - last year's finalists - struggled to keep up with BantasaurusRekt, who improved with every game they played. Another close game followed, and again Mixed Bag led 1-0, but Ballina Boys eventually proved too strong and ended up winning. There wasn't much between the teams as Lough Graney met Derg United, with Derg scoring the only goal. In a close game that was pivotal in deciding the group Bantasaurus beat Mixed Bag 1-0. This meant Mixed Bag couldn't progress to the knockout stage. Lough Graney followed suit in the next game, well beaten by Ballina Boys, who guaranteed progression from the group. Mixed Bag finally picked up a win in their final game, beating Derg. This made qualification for Derg very unlikely, and any hopes were ended in the next game with another Bantasaurus victory. All that was left to determine in the final game of the group was to see who would top the group, which Ballina ensured when they continued their 100% record with an emphatic victory over Derg United.

Group 1 Scores
BantasaurusRekt	3	4	Ballina Boys
Mixed Bag Dynamos	1	1	Lough Graney FC
Derg United	1	3	BantasaurusRekt
Ballina Boys	2	1	Mixed Bag Dynamos
Lough Graney FC	0	1	Derg United
BantasaurusRekt	1	0	Mixed Bag Dynamos
Ballina Boys	3	0	Lough Graney FC
Derg United	2	4	Mixed Bag Dynamos
BantasaurusRekt	3	0	Lough Graney FC
Ballina Boys	6	0	Derg United

Group 1 League Table
Pos	Teams	Pl	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pnts
1	Ballina Boys	4	4	0	0	15	4	11	12
2	BantasaurusRekt	4	3	0	1	10	5	5	9
3	Mixed Bag Dynamos	4	1	1	2	6	6	0	4
4	Derg United	4	1	0	3	4	13	-9	3
5	Lough Graney FC	4	0	1	3	1	8	-7	1

Group 2 Group 2 began with last year's champions Clare Corinthians getting off to a good start by defeating Sean Bean Sex Machine 2-0. A close game followed which saw Slippery Chickens play out a 1-1 draw with Carthy's Creatures. The third game saw the Group 2 newcomers - Spice of Life Boys - take on the Corinthians. Corinthians continued their impressive start with another 2-0 victory. An entertaining game followed, with Slippery Chickens facing Sean Bean. The Chickens recorded a good 3-1 victory which put them in a good position in the group. The next game was a hotly contested affair between Carthy's Creatures and Spice of Life. The game always looked to be decided by a single goal and thus it proved to be, with Spice of Life scoring the only goal. The only goalless game of the day came next, with the Corinthians' winning run halted by a spirited Slippery Chickens. Both Sean Bean and Carthy's went into the next game in precarious situations, knowing that only a victory would give them any chance of progressing. Sean Bean won the game 1-0, and so Carthy's Creatures went out. As it happens this result meant Clare Corinthians were guaranteed a place in the knockout stages. Slippery Chickens went into their final game knowing that a victory would guarantee them a place in the semi finals. Spice of Life, meanwhile, knew they would have their fate in their own hands if they didn't lose. Both teams scored a goal, but neither went on to get a winner and the game ended 1-1. Clare Corinthians went into their final game knowing a point would be enough to see them top the group. The result was never in doubt as they went on to defeat Carthy's Creatures 4-0. The final game in the group would determine who would join the Corinthians in the latter stages. Three teams had a chance of progressing - Sean Bean in the unlikely event they won by 5 goals, Slippery Chickens if they won by less or it was a draw, or Spice of Life if they could manage a victory. The Spice Boys scored early, which all but ruled out Sean Bean's chances, but they worked tirelessly to get back into the game - cheered on by Slippery Chickens! However, a second goal from the Spice of Life Boys sealed the fate of the other two teams and saw them progress. It's worth noting the Slippery Chickens bowed out unbeaten, and were the only team not to taste defeat on the day.

Group 2 Scores
Clare Corinthians	2	0	Sean Bean Sex Machine
Slippery Chickens	1	1	Carthy's Creatures
Spice of Life Boys	0	2	Clare Corinthians
Sean Bean Sex Machine	1	3	Slippery Chickens
Carthy's Creatures	0	1	Spice of Life Boys
Clare Corinthians	0	0	Slippery Chickens
Sean Bean Sex Machine	1	0	Carthy's Creatures
Spice of Life Boys	1	1	Slippery Chickens
Clare Corinthians	4	0	Carthy's Creatures
Sean Bean Sex Machine	0	2	Spice of Life Boys

Group 2 League Table
Pos	Teams	Pl	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pnts
1	Clare Corinthians	4	3	1	0	8	0	8	10
2	Spice of Life Boys	4	2	1	1	4	3	1	7
3	Slippery Chickens	4	1	3	0	5	3	2	6
4	Sean Bean Sex Machine	4	1	0	3	2	7	-5	3
5	Carthy's Creatures	4	0	1	3	1	7	-6	1

Knockout Stages The first semi final saw a well contested affair between two very contrasting teams. BantasaurusRekt - a talented team of young players, fresh-faced and enthusiastic - versus Clare Corinthians - wily, experienced players who have demonstrated the know-how of winning consistently. The Corinthians' three-year reign finally came to an end as Bantasaurus came out victorious, but the margin was a close one. The second semi final was very close, with the Spice of Life Boys scoring first but unable to add a crucial second goal. Ballina Boys threatened throughout and evntually were rewarded with an equaliser. Neither side could find a winner, and the game ended up a draw. Consequently a penalty shoot out was required to determine a winner. The shoot out was a tense affair, with feelings running high. Both teams showed confidence taking penalties, and the only miss came when one of the Spice Boys hit the crossbar. On such a fine margin then the tie was decided and Ballina Boys went on to the final. As mentioned earlier the final saw the two teams who played the very first game of the day face each other once more. In that game BantasaurusRekt had built up a lead, only for Ballina Boys to come back strong. The final began in similar fashion, and Ballina found themselves behind once more. Bantasaurus had improved throughout the day, however, and were able to hold on to and indeed strengthen their lead - finishing off with a convincing 4-1 victory.

Knockout Stages
BantasaurusRekt	2	1	Clare Corinthians
Ballina Boys	1	1	Spice of Life Boys
penalties	5	4
BantasaurusRekt	4	1	Ballina Boys

Acknowledgements This enjoyable charity event could not have happened without several key contributions. Sincerest thanks go to: Scarriff GAA Club for providing the venue Referees Joel, Oisín, John, Eamonn and Phil Holly, for handling the admin on the day Lucas, for acting as ball boy Matthew for the photography Sonia, for help tidying up The Red Cross, for their expert medical care Ber's Café, for the delicious food and drinks ...and of course all the players who made the event such a lively and enjoyable one! See you next year...

The venue is the Scarriff GAA all-weather pitch on Sat May 23rd. There will be two groups of five teams. Each team will play the other teams in their group in a league. Standard points allocation applies. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knock out stages (semi finals, final). Registration of teams and payment in full must happen before start of play. Refreshments available (rolls, juice, tea/coffee, cake)   Registration for Group 1 will take place between 9.30am and 9.45am; Group 1 matches will kick off at 10.00am. Group 1 Teams:          

• Mixed Bag Dynamos
• Ballina Boys
• Lough Graney FC
• Derg United
• BantasaurusRekt

  Registration for Group 2 will take place between 12pm and 12.15pm; Group 2 matches will kick off at 12.30pm.           Group 2 Teams:          

• Slippery Chickens
• Carthy's Creatures
• Sean Bean Sex Machine
• Clare Corinthians
• Spice of Life Boys

  Any team that delays the start of a game by 5 mins will concede that game 1-0.   Rules of Competition 1. Eight-a-side matches, 15 minutes long, no half-time break. Captains will toss up to choose end before match. Max 2 subs allowed - roll-on, roll-off, player coming off must leave the pitch before the sub comes on. Subs allowed on/off as many times as they wish. 2. Ball allowed to be played in the air as in normal 11-a-side game. 3. Ball kicked out over fence - play restarted by opposing team with throw in or goal kick where it left field. 4. Ball touches outside of net (back or side) – keeper’s ball. 5. Goalkeeper area marked on pitch, keeper can only handle ball inside this (but is free to move in and out of area, as are all players). 6. All free kicks direct, opposition must be 5 yards away. No run up is permitted for penalties. 7. Goalkeeper touches ball with hand from back pass, or keeps ball in his hands for more than 6 seconds - penalty. 8. In league stages: if two teams are level on points, goal difference will count, then goals scored, then the head to head record. If still level then a penalty shoot out will be held to decide final positions in group. 9. Knock-out stages: if teams are level- penalty shoot-out; each team takes 5 penalties, then sudden death. A sub may take a penalty. No player can take a second penalty till all team mates have taken one 10. Play will not be stopped unless: injury to goalkeepers, serious injury to outfield player, or head injury. Otherwise play will continue at all times. The ball can bounce off the fence without play stopping. If the ball hits the low wire or lands on top of net – drop ball. Attention should be received off the field of play. 11. There will be no added time, except for stoppages mentioned above. 12. Each team is expected to bring a set of matching shirts or bibs. 13. Each team or player is advised to be covered by insurance (individual or Group) as Mixed Bag United will not accept any liability for injuries or accidents that occur on the day, nor will it accept any liability for the personal belongings of players. 14. Each team should bring water bottles. There is a tap on site. The Red Cross will be present, but you might like to bring basic first aid supplies. 15. Players can register for a second team, but must pay the entry fee for each. 16. In exceptional circumstances a team may call upon extra substitutes, but this can only happen with the approval of the organisers and the captain of the opposing team. 17. Metal studs are not allowed.     Disciplinary Rules. PLEASE NOTE:- The referee’s decision is final. Any player arguing with the referee is liable to be cautioned. All the normal rules of soccer apply. In addition: 1. If a player receives one yellow card in a match, that caution will not be carried into the next match, and the player will be caution free for the next game. 2. If a player receives two yellow cards in the same match, he will be dismissed and will be ineligible for the next game. 3. If a player receives a straight red card he will be dismissed and ineligible for the next game. 4. If a player receives a straight red card for any of the following offences, he will be dismissed immediately and will be ineligible for the remainder of the tournament: Violent Conduct; Serious foul-play; Spitting   A representative from Ennis and Clare Samaritans will present the winning team with the Iniscealtra Community Cup. Any queries contact Phil (087 2368777). Best of luck in the tournament.

Once again Mixed Bag are running a football tournament, as part of the Mountshannon Iniscealtra Festival of Arts. This will be our eighth year running the tournament, which has become a popular feature on the local football calendar. There’s a trophy for the winners, and a fantastic day of football for everybody! Interested?… places are limited, so get a team together and get in touch! Details below…                         Mixed Bag United are running a charity 8 a side tournament on Saturday May 23^rd 2015. The venue will be the all-weather pitch at Scariff GAA Club. There will be a maximum of ten teams, so places are limited – apply early to avoid missing out. The teams will be divided into two leagues of four or five teams. In the first stage the teams will play the other teams in their league. Matches will last approximately 15 or 20 minutes (depending on the number of teams in the group). The top two teams in each league will qualify for the knockout stage, which will consist of two semi finals and a final. The winning team will be presented with a brand new trophy - the Iniscealtra Community Cup - which is to have their team name engraved upon it, and which they can display in a public venue of their choice for a year. A full set of rules will be posted on the website at a later date, with all the details of teams and groups. If you would like to enter a team then contact Phil on 087 2368777. You can guarantee your place with a €50 deposit (non-refundable) to be received before Friday 8^th May. You can have up to 10 players in your team. The cost of entry is €10 per player. ALL PROCEEDS FROM THIS EVENT WILL GO TO THE ENNIS AND CLARE BRANCH OF SAMARITANS

  A selection of players, with supporters in tow, have just returned from a successful, and very enjoyable, trip to play a match in the glorious Isle of Man. Whilst the match was the main event, the trip was a great opportunity to explore the Island - with trips to parks, museums and the wonderful Manx landscape. Along with this was the opportunity to witness at first hand the Classic TT motorcycle races, which was fairly breathtaking. The Match                             In true Mixed Bag spirit we fielded a mixed team, with a guest player helping make up the numbers. Andrew, Mike Sonia and Phil spent a week on the Island, and were joined by Eamonn, Shaun and Padraic who jetted in for the weekend. Added to this was Kieran, a relative of Phil's living locally. Our opposition in the match were a team fielded from St. John's FC. We were staying on the St. John's FC campsite which certainly made for simple arrangements! The game itself was a very close affair, and both teams had good spells of possession. There were some chances in the first half, but both keepers were in good form and breaking the deadlock proved a challenge. St. John's probably looked the likeliest team to score, and mid-way through the first half they did indeed open the scoring. Mixed Bag looked dangerous on the break, but couldn't find the net - though both teams did hit the woodwork. At half time, then, St. John's were leading 1-0. The second half resumed with a good spell of pressure from Mixed Bag, who began to really find their rhythm. Moving the ball  around quicker caused St. John's more of a challenge, and it looked like an equaliser was on the way. During an attack Phil had a shot saved on the line... by a defender's hand! This led therefore to a penalty which was duly converted. You're at your most vulnerable when you've just scored, and sure enough St. John's took the lead again straight away with a good individual goal. This was half way through the second half, and was followed by another prolongued spell of Mixed Bag pressure. Try as they might they just couldn't score, and with three minutes to go the resolute St. John's defence seemed likely to win out. However, the Mixed Bag heads didn't drop and the team efforts were rewarded with a goal from Mike. Having conceded just after their first goal Mixed Bag were determined not to let that happen again, and defended solidly. With a minute to go, having repelled a St. John's attack, Mixed Bag counter-attacked and Mike scored again. The final minute was played out at frenetic pace, but Mixed Bag held out for a famous victory.                           The game was played in a great spirit, and was enjoyable for all concerned. All the players excelled themselves, some of them carrying injuries yet performing heroics. Special mention should be made of Shaun, who was too injured to play in his usual outfield position so went in goal, and was probably the man of the match. Thanks go to all the players, to the regular MBU players and also to Sonia and Kieran who both had great games, and the thanks of the club go to St. John's FC for hosting us.  

This year's tournament - the seventh thus far - was certainly of the highest standard yet, with nearly all the games being decided by narrow margins. All nine teams gave a good account of themselves, but in the end experience won out and Clare Corinthians demonstrated what it takes... and so reclaimed the Iniscealtra Community Shield. The event was a charity fundraiser for Ennis and Clare Samaritans, and €1060 was donated to them to help in their invaluable work. Group 1     There were four teams in the morning group, and the first two rounds of games were very tight. Events started at pace, with two previous finalists facing each other. Slippery Chickens, last year's finalists, had a strong line up and they faced an equally strong East Clare Patriots. Evenly matched, they played out a draw. Following this Barefield Bandits - newcomers to the tournament - took on Mixed Bag Dynamos. The Bandits were the stronger side, but they found it difficult to breach the stout Mixed Bag defence. In the end though the goal came, and the Bandits won 1-0. Mixed Bag were back on straight away as they faced the Patriots. The game was similar to the preceding one, and had the same outcome, with Mixed Bag losing 1-0. This made it impossible for them to qualify for the latter stages. The following match saw a hard fought match between Slippery Chickens and Barefield Bandits. Neither side could break the deadlock and the match ended scoreless. The final round of games began with East Clare Patriots continuing their winning run as they played out a 1-0 victory over Barefield Bandits. This meant the Patriots topped the group. The final game, then, would determine who would finish second. If Slippery Chickens won they would progress, but any other outcome would be enough for Barefield Bandits to go through. Slippery Chickens faced Mixed Bag Dynamos, and as the two teams know each other well it made for an interesting encounter. Scoring quickly the Chickens looked to be in a strong position, but a quick equaliser by the Dynamos - cheered on by the Bandits - changed the dynamic once more. Not to be denied, though, the quality of Slippery Chickens - with some fine individual performances - showed and they soon reasserted themselves, ending up clear winners. It was a spirited display by Mixed Bag, and a good showing from Barefield Bandits, but both teams would play no further part in the tournament.

Group 1 Scores
Slippery Chickens	1	1	East Clare Patriots
Mixed Bag Dynamos	0	1	Barefield Bandits
East Clare Patriots	1	0	Mixed Bag Dynamos
Slippery Chickens	0	0	Barefield Bandits
East Clare Patriots	1	0	Barefield Bandits
Slippery Chickens	4	2	Mixed Bag Dynamos

 

Group 1 League Table
Pos	Teams	Pl	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pnts
1	East Clare Patriots	3	2	1	0	3	1	2	7
2	Slippery Chickens	3	1	2	0	5	3	2	5
3	Barefield Bandits	3	1	1	1	1	1	0	4
4	Mixed Bag Dynamos	3	0	0	3	2	6	-4	0

  Group 2   The afternoon group was equally competitive, with a good standard of football throughout. It began with Easton Cowboys - who travelled from Bristol to play - facing a youthful and talented Derg United. It took the Cowboys a while to get up to the pace, and United ended up clear winners. Following this East Clare Explorers played out a close match with Cider Babies which ended scoreless. The Cowboys were back on for the next game and were much improved. They faced last year's champions Clare Corinthians and the match was a close affair. It looked like the game would end in a draw, but the Corinthians scored a late winner. Derg United then faced a resolute Cider Babies and a close game ended in a draw. Clare Corinthians continued their winning ways with victory over East Clare Explorers in a keenly contested game. The second half of the Group 2 games began with Cider Babies notching up a victory over Easton Cowboys - another game with a narrow margin. This was followed by a fiery encounter between Derg United and East Clare Explorers. Both teams were highly motivated, and referee Clive had to use all his experience to keep things on an even keel. The one goal of the game was scored by United. Cider Babies' final match was against the Corinthians, and both teams had to settle for a draw. This meant Cider Babies could finish no higher than third in the group. It's worth noting that Cider Babies - in the true spirit of the tournament - recruited two players they'd never met before the day, and still ended up one of only two teams unbeaten on the day... the other being the eventual champions. The final two games of the group saw deciders at both ends of the table. The first of these saw Easton Cowboys play out a 1-1 draw with East Clare Explorers. Following this the group decider saw Derg United take on Clare Corinthians. Both teams had seven points going in to the match, but due to their superior goal difference a draw would see United top the group - for the Corinthians only a victory would do. The game was fast and furious, and saw several half-chances for both teams, but in the end was decided by a single goal scored by the Corinthians.

Group 2 Scores
Easton Cowboys	0	3	Derg United
Cider Babies	0	0	East Clare Explorers
Clare Corinthians	2	1	Easton Cowboys
Derg United	1	1	Cider Babies
East Clare Explorers	1	2	Clare Corinthians
Easton Cowboys	1	2	Cider Babies
Derg United	1	0	East Clare Explorers
Clare Corinthians	1	1	Cider Babies
Easton Cowboys	1	1	East Clare Explorers
Derg United	0	1	Clare Corinthians

 

Group 2 League Table
Pos	Teams	Pl	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pnts
1	Clare Corinthians	4	3	1	0	6	3	3	10
2	Derg United	4	2	1	1	5	2	3	7
3	Cider Babies	4	1	3	0	4	3	1	6
4	East Clare Explorers	4	0	2	2	2	4	-2	2
5	Easton Cowboys	4	0	1	3	3	8	-5	1

  Knockout Stages The first semi final saw a repeat of last year's final, with Slippery Chickens taking on Clare Corinthians. Slippery Chickens used the pace of their team well, and looked strong on the break, but it was the Corinthians that broke the deadlock. Slippery Chickens were then dealt a blow when a key player landed awkwardly and had to retire from the game. There were no further goals, and so Clare Corinthians were the first team to book their place in the final. The second semi final saw Derg United take on a depleted East Clare Patriots, who had lost a couple of players. The Patriots were no match for United, who ran out easy winners. The final, then, saw a replay of the Group 2 decider, and it proved to be an equally close game. There was a fascinating contrast between the two teams, with a skillful, pacy and youthful team taking on a much older, more experienced team - the average ages of the teams were probably 20 years apart. The game saw good chances for both teams, but both keepers excelled and the match ended scoreless. Thus, for the first time, the final was decided by a penalty shoot out. As the drama unfolded the Corinthians' keeper made a great save on one of the penalties. As all the other penalties had gone in it meant the final penalty for the Corinthians was the decider. This was duly dispatched, and so the trophy was won for the third year running by Clare Corinthians.

Knockout Stages
Slippery Chickens	0	1	Clare Corinthians
East Clare Patriots	0	3	Derg United
Clare Corinthians	0	0	Derg United
penalty shoot out	5	4

Acknowledgements This enjoyable charity event could not have happened without several key contributions. Sincerest thanks go to: Scarriff GAA Club for providing the venue Referees Clive and Owen Denise, for handling the admin on the day Gill and Eve, for the delicious food and drinks Lucas, for acting as ball boy David and Holly, for photos, and help with the scoring Sonia, for help tidying up The Red Cross, for their expert medical care ...and of course all the players who made the event such a lively and enjoyable one!   See you next year...  

  The venue is the Scarriff GAA all-weather pitch on Sat May 31st. There will be two groups of five teams. Each team will play the other teams in their group in a league. Standard points allocation applies. The top two teams from each group will progress to the knock out stages (semi finals, final). Registration of teams and payment in full must happen before start of play. Light refreshments available (rolls, juice, tea/coffee, cake)   Registration for Group A will take place between 9.30am and 9.45am; Group A matches will kick off at 10.00am. Group A Teams:          

• Mixed Bag Dynamos
• Slippery Chickens
• East Clare Patriots
• Barefield Bandits
• Mansketcher United

  Registration for Group B will take place between 12pm and 12.15pm; Group B matches will kick off at 12.30pm.           Group B Teams:          

• East Clare Explorerts
• Derg United
• Easton Cowboys
• Clare Corinthians
• Cider Babies

  Any team that delays the start of a game by 5 mins will concede that game 1-0.   Rules of Competition 1. Eight-a-side matches, 15 minutes long, no half-time break. Captains will toss up to choose end before match. Max 2 subs allowed - roll-on, roll-off, player coming off must leave the pitch before the sub comes on. Subs allowed on/off as many times as they wish. 2. Ball allowed to be played in the air as in normal 11-a-side game. 3. Ball kicked out over fence - play restarted by opposing team with throw in or goal kick where it left field. 4. Ball touches outside of net (back or side) – keeper’s ball. 5. Goalkeeper area marked on pitch, keeper can only handle ball inside this (but is free to move in and out of area, as are all players). 6. All free kicks direct, opposition must be 5 yards away. No run up is permitted for penalties. 7. Goalkeeper touches ball with hand from back pass, or keeps ball in his hands for more than 6 seconds - penalty. 8. In league stages: if two teams are level on points, goal difference will count, then goals scored, then the head to head record. If still level then a penalty shoot out will be held to decide final positions in group. 9. Knock-out stages: if teams are level- penalty shoot-out; each team takes 5 penalties, then sudden death. A sub may take a penalty. No player can take a second penalty till all team mates have taken one 10. Play will not be stopped unless: injury to goalkeepers, serious injury to outfield player, or head injury. Otherwise play will continue at all times. The ball can bounce off the fence without play stopping. If the ball hits the low wire or lands on top of net – drop ball. Attention should be received off the field of play. 11. There will be no added time, except for stoppages mentioned above. 12. Each team is expected to bring a set of matching shirts or bibs. 13. Each team or player is advised to be covered by insurance (individual or Group) as Mixed Bag United will not accept any liability for injuries or accidents that occur on the day, nor will it accept any liability for the personal belongings of players. 14. Each team should bring water bottles. There is a tap on site. The Red Cross will be present, but you might like to bring basic first aid supplies. 15. Players can register for a second team, but must pay the entry fee for each. 16. In exceptional circumstances a team may call upon extra substitutes, but this can only happen with the approval of the organisers and the captain of the opposing team. 17. Metal studs are not allowed.     Disciplinary Rules. PLEASE NOTE:- The referee’s decision is final. Any player arguing with the referee is liable to be cautioned. All the normal rules of soccer apply. In addition: 1. If a player receives one yellow card in a match, that caution will not be carried into the next match, and the player will be caution free for the next game. 2. If a player receives two yellow cards in the same match, he will be dismissed and will be ineligible for the next game. 3. If a player receives a straight red card he will be dismissed and ineligible for the next game. 4. If a player receives a straight red card for any of the following offences, he will be dismissed immediately and will be ineligible for the remainder of the tournament: Violent Conduct; Serious foul-play; Spitting   A representative from Ennis and Clare Samaritans will present the winning team with the Iniscealtra Community Shield. Any queries contact Phil (087 2368777). Best of luck in the tournament.