Isle of Man Football Association’s Special Olympics disability football team competed in the George Best Community Cup in Belfast last week.

The annual competition was organised by the Northern Irish FA in tandem with the Mary Peters Trust and Foundation.

The Manx team got off to a flying start by winning all of their games on the opening day last Thursday before moving up to a higher level where they won twice before being knocked out in the semi-finals.

IoMFA chief executive officer Frank Stennett travelled with the party and was pleased with how everything went:

’This is a fantastic tournament for this format of football with over 70 teams taking part in the competition played at the Billy Neill Football complex.

’There were teams from right across Ireland and in addition several teams from community projects at professional football clubs in England.

’Teams from Stoke City, Portsmouth, Bradford City, Leek Town and Macclesfield competed with the various sides from Northern Ireland and Eire, while there was also a team from Jersey this year.

’The first day of the tournament on Thursday was effectively a grading day. As we won all our six games, we were moved to a higher standard of group games on the Friday.

’Whilst we held our own in the higher group, winning our first two games, we were eventually beaten 2 -1 in the group semi-final by Oadsby.

’In many respects the scores are, to a certain degree, secondary to the overall experience of our players playing in such a prestigious tournament and the camaraderie and friendships that are established on such a well-organised football tour.

’Our considerable thanks go to Celton Manx, TCQ Limited, Mann Construction and Feltons of Ramsey for their extremely kind support and sponsorship.

’From my own perspective it was a real privilege to accompany the party.

’The players behaved impeccably throughout the trip, representing the Isle of Man and our sport in the very best way both on and off the field of play.

’Finally thanks to our two hard-working coaches Kevin Cowin and Mickey Curran and also Beryl Woolridge, national director of Special Olympics Isle of Man, who accompanied the trip.’