The Isle of Man Special Olympics Football team travelled to Gibraltar last week to take part in the 4th Annual Gareth Cowin Memorial Tournament.

Working in close partnership with the Isle of Man Football Association, the team of special footballers comprised of the following players:

Tom Hall (captain ), Mark Dobinson, Owen Langton, David Hudson, Liam McCarthy, Lawrence Dyer, Jamie Comaish and Ben Mowle.

The Manx side lost its opening match to a very strong Gibraltar team 1-0 and then beat Algeciras 4-0 courtesy of goals from Dobinson, Comaish, McCarthy and Dyer.

In our final game the Isle of Man went down fighting 5-3 against Warrington Wolves in a very entertaining end-to-end game.

The final saw Gibraltar winning the tournament against Warrington Wolves, therefore Gibraltar will once again host the tournament in 2018.

Isle of Man FA chief executive Frank Stennett commented: ’This was the fourth Gareth tournament and was hosted by Gibraltar Special Olympics in conjunction with Gibraltar FA.

’We have established very strong friendships in Gibraltar and once again they proved excellent hosts to ourselves and the other two competing teams, namely Warrington Wolves and Algeciras from Spain.

’I would particularly thank Annie Risso the national director of Special Olympics Gibraltar, who quite simply has a heart of gold and ensured our stay was so enjoyable and memorable.

’Our considerable thanks also go to all the volunteers at the Retreat Hostel and for all the many volunteers that helped make the tournament proceed so smoothly at the Tercentenary Sports Hall at the Victoria Sports Complex.

’Our thanks also go to Richard Manning from Gibraltar FA and all his colleagues for hosting the after match function at the Gibraltar Manchester United Supporters Club.’

Beryl Woolridge, Special Olympics national director for the Isle of Man, also commented: ’I would just like to reiterate what wonderful hosts Gibraltar are and we look forward to returning next year with hopefully more teams taking part in the tournament.

’It was very unfortunate that the Liverpool team didn’t make it due to Monarch Airlines cancelling their flights this year.’

Proceedings at the Gareth Cowin Tournament concluded with a speech from Dennis Lafferty Chairman of Special Olympics Gibraltar who thanked everyone for playing in the true spirit of Special Olympics and all the officials who had refereed the tournament so well.

Finally, Gareth’s father Kevin Cowin made a brief speech of thanks to all that had contributed to a fantastic tournament and then presented the trophy to 2017 winners Gibraltar.

The Isle of Man FA Under-18s will be in County Youth Cup action against Middlesex at the Bowl on Saturday, November 25 - kickoff 6.30pm.