Starlets flee sectarian abuse to score victory

TWO underage Dublin soccer teams yesterday put a night of sectarian abuse behind them to compete in one of Europe's most prestigious youth tournaments.

Both the Crumlin United under-15 team and the Cherry Orchard under-16 team played in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup, despite having to move from their accommodation late on Monday night because of fears for their safety.

And Ballyfermot-based Cherry Orchard put the whole affair behind them in style, by trouncing New Zealand's Otago 4-0 in a game which saw extra security drafted in for the players' safety.

The victory came after a group of youths threw stones at both teams' accommodation in Coleraine and shouted sectarian abuse.

"It all happened at around 10 o'clock," said Paul Hammond from Crumlin United, the former club of Ireland star Robbie Keane.

Bricks

"We were all in the courtyard and we told the players to get into the front of the house. They started throwing bricks, poles, blocks and lots of things.

"They were shouting things like 'IRA scum', 'why don't you go back down south?' and 'fenian bastards'." The houses in Cromore Court where both Cherry Orchard and Crumlin United were staying are close to the loyalist Ballyfally Estate.

"The parents are up to speed and they know that the kids are safe. Most of the parents are staying in a hotel in Coleraine anyway."

A 19-year-old man was arrested then released on bail after the disturbance.

However, the incident severely disrupted both teams' preparations for yesterday's matches.

Some Crumlin players only managed three-and-half-hours sleep and had to return to Cromore Court to try and catch up on some rest. They also had to collect their gear ahead of the delayed seven o'clock kick off against Danish club Brondby.

Paul Clare, manager of Cherry Orchard, said the incident had upset some of his players.

''There was one lad who is under 15 and he was a little bit worried, he couldn't really sleep,'' he said.

"So I just had a chat with them today and told them it was only a silly drunk.''

The Milk Cup is firmly established as one of the best youth soccer tournaments in Europe.