Fifth annual SPORTSCO 5-ASide World Cup

The cream of ESB soccer talent gathered at SPORTSCO on Saturday 18th November 2006 for the fifth annual SPORTSCO 5-A-Side World Cup.

A total of 272 players in 34 teams took part in three separate competitions. The gods smiled on the day and kept the players, organisers and loyal supporters dry. There was also a team of physical therapists on hand to ease aching bones throughout the day.

Women's Final - El Salvador (ESBI) 1-0 Turkey (ITS Fleet St)
The women's final was contested by ESBI (El Salvador) and ITS (Turkey). It was a tight final with very little between the sides. It was 0-0 at half time and it looked like the deadlock would not be broken, until Niamh Holmes broke from midfield and struck a looping shot which finished in the top right corner. The keeper didn't have a chance. It was back-to-wall stuff from then on in.

ESBI had overcome another ESBI team (Austria) in the semi final and ITS had beaten ESBI (England). England won the third place playoff. The golden boot award for Above Paddy Merrigan, ITS and Eoin O'Farrell, IT Security take part in the Sportsco World Cup. best player was won by Niamh Holmes.

Men's Over 40's Final - Germany (ITS) 1 - 1 France (Portlaoise) The men's over 40's final was a very tight affair. In a battle of the super powers of world football, France (Portlaoise) played Germany (ITS). Dave Curran scored the first goal of the game, which left France leading at half time. France came out in the second half playing a cagey game with five men behind the ball at times, but Tony McMackin broke through and equalised with a fine shot in the midway point of the second half, leaving the sides 1-1 at full time.

The penalty shootout turned out to be a nail-biting affair and was only resolved when France missed the 20th penalty. Germany, lead by Philip Mulligan, won the shootout by 10 penalties to nine.

The golden boot was deservedly won by Tony McMackin.

France had overcome an ESBI team (Greece) in the semi final; Germany had beaten South Africa (ESB Telecoms).

Men's Under 40s Final - Sweden (ITS) 8 - 1 Antarctica (ESBIE)
The men's under 40's tournament had 23 teams taking part from all over Ireland. There were representatives from all categories across the company. The final saw ITS (Sweden) led by Conor Murray, play ESBIE (Antarctica), led by Kevin Dunne. It was a nail-biting first half, very much tit for tat. The score at half time was 2-1 to ITS. ITS came out in the second half the stronger side and had a purple patch, scoring six without reply and ran out easy winners for the second year in succession. The golden boot was won by Lenny Walsh from ITS.

The semi-finals were both very close, with Antarctica beating San Marino (Eirgrid) 5-3 and Sweden just overcoming Italy (ESBI) 4-3. San Marino (EirGrid 1) had some consolation by winning the 3rd place match.