The names behind the trophies
December 31, 2010Damien Reid Regional Competitions
Louth instigated a regional competition in 2010 to allow young players an opportunity to showcase their skill and further develop their playing ability at a level between club and county. They also had the added opportunity to impress the coaches and get a place on the Louth Schools of Excellence and Development Squads. Four geographical regions with teams at under 13, 14 15 & 16 played on the third Friday of each month from April to September. The games were eleven a side played on a reduced pitch with smaller goals and the two touch rule applied.
Five prestigious trophies were allocated to the competitions and the series was dedicated to the memory of the Mattock Rangers and Louth great Damien Reid.
Damien Reid was one of Mattock Ranger's and Louth's most skilful and dedicated players. Damien stood out from the rest for his remarkable skill, dedication and commitment to both club and county.
Damien possessed an indomitable reserve of commitment, energy and dedication, he was always ready to help and encourage a colleague, Damien was the epitome of what a footballer should be and the people of Collon, Mattock Rangers and Louth consider themselves ho to have known, to have watched and to have shared the same patch as nature's gentleman.
Damien was on losing county finals to Cooley three times, Minor 1968 and Senior in 1973 and 1976. Damien won a Flood Cup Medal in 1976 and he captained Mattock Rangers in their Intermediate Final win in 1982. Damien played on the Louth Senior Team from 1969 to 1983, he got an All Star nominations in 1973 and1977, he scored ten points against Laois in 1977 Leinster Championship. Damien was Louth Senior Player of the Year in 1977 and Intermediate Player of the Year in 1982.
Damien was club secretary in 1982 and 1983, Louth Minor Football Team Manager 1991 to 1993 and the Under 21 team from 1997 to 1999. Damien was leader of the Louth Under 14 Development Squad in 2008 and had illness not intervened he was destined to have a major impact on under age football.
Andy Rogers Cup - Louth Under 13 Regional Competition
The trophy commemorates a great Dundalk Gael from the Point Road area. A member of the John Dillon's G.F.C. Club he was a well known Referee. He took charge of games in Louth, Meath, Down and Monaghan. He refereed the Louth Intermediate Final in Dundalk in October 1908 and a Senior Final in Drogheda in September 1929. He was elected Vice Chairman of the Louth County Board on eleven occasions 1917, 1918, 1929, 1930, 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, 1937 and 1938. In May 1939 Andy Rogers was appointed Honorary President of the Louth County Board and departed this life in February 1954. His Grandson Paddy McMahon, Séan O' Mahony's G.F.C. Dundalk was elected Vice Chairman of Louth County Board in 1999, 2000 and 2001. He was elected Chairman of the Louth County Board December 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. He was elected Leinster Council Delegate and also Central Council Delegate which he currently retains.
Jimmy Tuft Cup - Louth Under 14 regional Competition
Jimmy Tuft was chosen on the Louth Team of the Millennium, he played in the All Ireland Final of 1950 and won a Railway Cup Medal in 1952. Jimmy first played with Geraldines winning a McArdle Cup Medal and he then went over to the Dundalk Young Ire+lands where he spent the rest of his club career. Jimmy had the ambition to win an All Ireland Medal but an injury sustained against Kerry in the 1953 final ended his inter county career. Jimmy broke his arm early in the game. He decided there and then that it was club football only from then on. Jimmy's grand nephew Robert Burlingham was captain of the Meath Team, the Under 14 School of Excellence in 2008 when they won the cup. Robert received it from his grandmother Mrs Reneghan who was Jimmy's sister. Robert still plays in goals for Meath.
Ronan Byrne Cup - Louth Under 15 Regional Competition
Ronan Byrne was just twenty two years old when he was tragically killed in a traffic accident. Ronan was a confident lad who lived life to the full. He had a most successful football career at school and club level. Ronan won honours at St Mary's Primary and Secondary Schools, he was a brilliant player in Oliver Plunkett's under age teams and he was on the Newtown Blues Senior Team in 2003 the year of his untimely death. Ronan played at Under 16 level for Louth, he was two years on the Louth Minor Team and two years on the Under 21 side. Ronan possessed the ability to carve out a highly successful football career.
Turlough Lennon Cup - Louth Under 16 Regional Competition
Turlough Lennon was 27 years of age when he died suddenly in May 2002. Turlough was a talented footballer who lined out at centre field for Kilkerley Emmets in the 1999 Senior Football Final against Stabannon Parnells. Turlough played for Louth in the 1997 Leinster Junior Football Final against Meath in Croke Park. Turlough's talent wasn't confined to football. He was deeply involved with coaching under age teams in the club. Turlough was an extremely capable administrator who was destined to have a bright future in front of him until fate so cruelly intervened.
Colin Murphy Cup - Louth Under 17 Regional Competition
Colin was just sixteen years old when he was tragically killed in an accident. A tall and athletic boy he had given plenty notice on the football field with Cooley Kickham's under age teams that he was destined to be a great player. Such was his enthusiasm for football that his family donated this trophy to preserve his memory. The cup has been awarded to the winners of the Special Minor League and Cooley Kickham's won it the first year. From now on it will be awarded to the winners of the prestigious Under 17 Regional Competition.
The 2010 U17 Regional Competition will commence in mid November after the semi-final stages of the Lennon Cup have been completed. The competition will be used to assess the ability, commitment and interest of players for the following 2011 squads; Louth Vocational Schools, Dundalk Colleges & Louth Minors. Tweet
