Mini tournaments pave way for love of the game

One of my earliest and fondest memories of playing football goes back to 1994, participating in Firhouse Carmel FC's Mini World Cup.

These week-long tournaments, held across the country, are more than just games; they are the lifeblood of grassroots football, keeping the spirit of the sport alive through community involvement and crucial fundraising.

In recent years, I’ve been fortunate to be asked to present medals to the kids on the final day of these tournaments.

It’s always great to see the smiles on their faces when they pick up their medals and heartbreaking to see the odd child who may have suffered a heavy defeat and can’t quite keep back the tears.

These moments of joy and sorrow which are all part of the fabric of football, teaching kids resilience, teamwork, and the pure love of the game.

Last night, I missed attending a League of Ireland match due to my two eldest boys competing in Leicester Celtic's Mini World Cup this week.

All week, my wifee Ciara has been asking why I’ve such a big smile on my face, not expecting me to be happy to be missing the St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers game and the reason is nostalgia.

My two boys get in from school and immediately ask, "How long until my game in the Mini World Cup?" This repeats like a child in the back seat of a car asking, "Are we nearly there yet?" five minutes into a long journey.

Seeing their excitement mirrors my own experiences as a child starting on my footballing journey, bringing a smile to my face every time.

We get down early, the buzz around the place is something unmatched. Every child is representing a country, every child is welcome to participate regardless of ability.

This year, I’m supporting Romania and Oman. Five minutes before kick-off, every