Last Wednesday the Umbro Quadrangular Tournament between the Rep of Ireland, hosts Northern Ireland, holders Scotland and the Isle of Man kicked off in Banbridge, Co. Down.

 

One of the major highlights of this Tournament was to see if Irish skipper James Walsh of St. Michael’s of Tipp town would secure the three ‘caps’ he required equal the record of Barry Flynn as Ireland’s most capped in the non-professional soccer game.

 

Although missing out on lifting the Umbro Quadrangular Trophy, to the delight of everyone involved in the Tipperary Southern & District League and further afield the 34 year old Cashel born, IT specialist, James Walsh did reach that milestone in Amateur soccer by equalling the record set by former international player Barry Flynn of Dublin.

 

With seven players the Premer County had the biggest representation. The Rep of Ireland was captained by record breaking James Walsh and along with him were St. Michael's  team-mate Paul Breen, Tony Scully from Clonmel Town and Carrick United’s Adrian Walsh, Michael Coady and brothers Wayne and Thomas Fitzgerald.

 

The Republic of Ireland got off to an excellent start in the opening match of the International Quadrangular Tournament last Wednesday with a 1-0 win over the Isle of Man in what was a very tough and physical game.

 

Then the Republic of Ireland played out a 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland in Banbridge last Thursday. Both sides had chances in the closing stages to win the game but on balance a draw was a fair result.

 

Last Saturday in Banbridge it was win or bust for the Rep of Ireland against holders Scotland if record equalling skipper James Walsh was to lift the coveted trophy. However, two early goals saw Scotland get the better of the Irish by 2-1 and retain the trophy to the disappointment of the large contingent of Tipperary supporters that made the journey up North.