Avondale's U13 cup win brought back great memories for their management team

LIKE father like son. 

Thirty five years ago, Micheal Mulconry played on an Avondale team that won the U13 cup final in Turner's Cross 2-1 against Blarney United. 

Last weekend, he managed the Avondale side, who for the first time since that cup final in 1989 reached the cup final in which his son Tom picked up the player of the match award, along with lifting the cup as captain, on behalf of this talented Avondale side.

The Mulconrys weren't the only father and son who played their role in this year's cup final. 

Former Club stalwarts Ken Bruton, Dave Spratt and Daniel O'Leary (Podge) joined Micheal as part of the coaching staff with all four sons playing for the side.

Tom Mulconry, Sam Bruton, Ryan O'Leary and Mark Spratt are just four of the lucky lads to be coached by the former experienced and successful intermediate cup winning Dale players.

While most coaches in the game start out by giving a lending hand as parents, whom have no football experience, Avondale were spoiled to have such quality with their current U13 management team as all four lads have achieved massive success in the game, all as players and some as managers.

Spearheaded by Mulconry who has the group of lads since the age of four, Bruton, Spratt and O'Leary have joined along the way, with all having the same mindset and goal. 

Giving every player quality game time while trying to get the lads to play to the best of their ability in a well organised way is what is most important to these lads. 

Such a bond between the coaches has been created and carried on to the pitch and that togetherness, camaderie and hard work was rewarded last week when they won at Turner's Cross.

"It was fantastic to see them winning the cup," said O'Leary. 

"They have put in a massive amount of hard work since the start of the year and it was great to see this rewarded.

"We were all delighted that our lads got to the Cup final so that they could experience a big Dale crowd and an evening at the Cross," said Bruton. 

"But obviously, once they were there, we were hoping that they would perform to their best ability and maybe win out on the night. 

"Micheal is fantastic with the group and was intent on getting everyone on the pitch for as long as humanly possible as he has done all season to his credit, so for him to hit that sweet spot of maximising the boys gametime, while also getting the result, made the evening even more special as all 16 players contributed massively. "

"The last time Avondale won this U13 trophy was in 1989 when we beat Blarney Street 2-1 and I was playing," said Mulconry. 

"It is mad to think that I am now coaching these boys to win it again all these years later. 

"Safe to say the Cross has changed a bit!"

While it's a bonus for the youngsters to have such quality coaches mentoring them, all joy is not solely for the players. 

The four lads were quick to admit, been back together in the game, albeit in a different capacity, has brought great craic and involvement once again.

"For myself, Micheal, David and Podge, to coach our kids is really special to us as we have been through a lot together over the years and know how special it is to develop those kind of lasting friendships through the ups and downs that come with playing competitive sport. 

"I love that we get to know our son’s friends better than we would were they just calling to the house. 

"We know all of their characters from seeing how they react in certain instances on the pitch and at training. 

"It’s really special to see the bond that the group have built over the last eight or so years since Micheal started coaching them down the Ursilines on Friday evenings when they were four years of age. 

"Long May it continue."