NORTHERN IRELAND WIN TESCO CUP IN PENALTY SHOOT OUT TRIUMPH
Belfast youngsters Northern Belles, representing Northern Ireland, held their nerve to triumph in the Tesco Cup at the City of Manchester. They were pushed all the way by Welsh champions Mardy Tigers with the Irish team eventually winning 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 30 minutes and extra time. They received their trophy and medals from Tesco Chairman Sir Terry Leahy and the FA's Sir Trevor Brooking.
Tesco Cup ambassador, former England and Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson, named Northern Belles skipper Sperrin College Simone Magill player of the tournament, while Omagh High School pupil Gemma Frazer was named as the best striker.
Manager Sara Booth hailed her team's success at the City of Manchester Stadium, saying: “It was just an amazing effort by all the girls. We battled so hard and we put a lot of effort in. I'm so proud of all of them. To play in this stadium is a brilliant and positive experience for all of the girls. They performed brilliantly and we're delighted to come away as winner. We're very excited to be taking the trophy back to Northern Ireland.”
She continued; “The shoot-out in the final was very tense but the girls kept their cool and managed to pull through in the end. The girls were really nervous before the games but they didn't let it affect their performance.”
Earlier in the day Northern Ireland knocked out English champions Preston North End girls 1-0 to qualify for the final while Wales defeated Scotland by the same score.
Other individual player awards chosen by watching Tesco Cup ambassadors Paul Merson and Marieanne Spacey were Scotland keeper Megan Cunningham, England defender Kirsty Latus, Wales Midfielder Ellie Curson and Northern Ireland striker Gemma Frazier.
View video highlights of the 2007/2008 finals (opens in a new window)
View the results from the 2007/2008 competition (in CSV format)
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