Belfast grassroots football team signs off with Spanish 'swansong'

Teenagers at a Belfast grassroots football club signed off in the perfect way last week by winning an end-of-season tournament in Spain. Rosario Under 15s came through a busy week of European action to lift the Copa Mediterraneo in Costa Brava.

They beat teams from Spain, Italy and France to return home with the silverware, capping off a long season for the South Belfast side.

The U15s are coached by former Irish League star Chris Morgan and Stephen McConnell, and the Copa Mediterraneo proved a memorable 'swansong' for the youngsters, with many set to leave Rosario this summer to take up new challenges in the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL).

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Morgan told Belfast Live: "The team was in the National League Premier Division last season, which is an eight-team league. Linfield won it, Cliftonville were second. It is all Irish League clubs.

"Next season it's Under 16 which is a NIFL league which we can't compete in. So effectively our team starts to break up and some of the lads will move to Irish League clubs. That is where they will be, level wise.

"So this tournament was like a big send-off for them. A swansong, in some respects.

"Last year we did the Blackpool Cup, and the year before we played in the Foyle Cup. This time we thought we would like to give them a big send-off by playing abroad, and the club gave us permission to compete at the Copa Mediterraneo.

"And to win it was a nice way for things to end."

Morgan admits it was a challenging week for his young squad, who had to cope with a hectic fixture schedule and some physical opposition.

"It was a bit of a mad week. We played a lot of games, and we came up against teams who presented different challenges. We played an Italian team who knew how to provoke you, with things like diving, some of the tackles and off the ball incidents. Wee things our players haven't really been exposed to much," he said.

"We played one team from Sicily who were very physical. We came from behind to score two late goals and win and they didn't take it very well and there were a few incidents at the end of the game.

"So to come through all that and win the cup made it special. Many people praised us for the quality of football we played, so that was pleasing.

"The boys learned a lot. We had one player sent off for reacting, and it was a lesson for him and the rest of the players. I said to them at the end, this is what it is like playing against teams from Europe. It is a different style.

"I think for those European teams that is the way they play. We were up in arms, but I just think that's normal for these teams. And you have to learn that quickly.

"Our player kicked out and got sent off. He didn't make contact, but he was sent off and we had to play with 10 players.

"Some of the games were tricky, in terms of what we had to deal with. And some of the teams were physically very big, and that can be intimidating on its own.

"Thankfully the final was quite a tepid game and that suited us. I am just delighted for these boys to sign off with some silverware. We played some good football."

Morgan added: "There was a lovely end to the tournament. Our boys and the team they beat in the final exchanged shirts at the end. So that was a fitting end to the tournament."

Former Linfield, Glentoran and Crusaders striker Morgan has been coaching at Rosario since 2016. He currently manages the U15 team, and the seniors who play in the Amateur League.

He said: "I enjoy it. It is nice seeing the young players develop and progress. I have been involved since 2016 and watched the youngsters go from five-a-side to seven, nine and 11-a-side. Some players drop off, and some arrive from different clubs, but there are a few who have been with the club since they were six or seven.

"And there will be a few of the current U15 squad who will now move on to Irish League clubs. That's the next natural step for them, with the way the National League works.

"They are all good kids. Stephen and I enjoy taking them away. They know when to work and when to have some craic. They are disciplined and they are never any bother.

"We always get good feedback from anywhere we visit. So that is something to be proud of.

"There are a few who have been through the Northern Ireland underage set-up, and some who have got some interest from clubs across the water.

"We might see one or two in the Irish League, or across the water, in the future. And that would be great to see.

"I enjoy working with the young players. You see the change and development, and you try and use your own experiences to improve them. It takes time, but it's always worth the effort."

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