Published: Thursday, 15th July, 2010 4:00pm

Keys looking for squad to play to potential

by Editorial Department

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The Ballinamallard U10 players who will travel to the Foyle Cup for the first time.

Two sides from Ballinamallard Youths mini soccer school will this year be competing in the extremely competitive mini soccer section of the Foyle Cup.

The 2000 group, coached by Alistair Keys, Sam Gamble and Neil Upton, will be making their first appearance at the Foyle Cup in the U10 age group and they will be hoping to make their presence felt at the week long tournament.

The Mallard U10 side were drawn in group A alongside Derry and District Youth, Bertie Peacock Youth, Shankill Colts, Coleraine Colts and Limavady United. The Mallards play in the opening game of the tournament at St Columb's Park on the afternoon of Tuesday July 20 against Bertie Peacock Youth with a 2pm kick off. Despite being drawn in a tough group, the young Mallards are hopeful of impressing at the tournament and they have been training three times each week at the Bawnacre to prepare thoroughly for the week long tournament.

Coach Alistair Keys is hopeful that the hard work that the young Mallards are putting in during training will translate into match results in the Maiden City during July.

"Every single player at this age group has worked really hard over the past few months. We have seen a great deal of improvement in every single player and hopefully the 12 who have been selected to go to the Foyle Cup will do us all proud."

Alistair was also full of praise for the group and their team spirit

"The guys selected in the squad all have their own individual talents or skills, but they also work very well as part of a team and they never know when to give up. This should hold them in good stead ahead of the Foyle Cup."

Former Mallards youth team player Craig Hill, now of Dundee United, attended training on Tuesday evening at the Bawnacre Centre and the young Mallards listened attentively to Craig and his footballing experiences over the past year for club and country.

"It was great to see Craig at training chatting to the group as he has come through the same process of the mini soccer school and attending tournaments like the Foyle Cup for Ballinamallard," commented Alistair, who concluded: "It is one of the first tournaments the boys will have attended in which results are taken and there is silverware to play for. We are hopeful that we can play to our potential and enjoy our week at the tournament."