LEEDS NOV 1994

nov 94


LEEDS UNDER 17s:

Youthful manager Tony O'Regan is regarded as something of a

wonder worker by people at Leeds, one of the top underage clubs

in Cork.



Tony, formerly a prominent player with Ballyvolane, took over the

team this year and has transformed them from moderate mid table

material into championship chasers. Already, they have qualified

for the second round of the FAI Snickers Cup, are into the semi-

finals of the Imperial Hotel League Cup (by topping their group),

and have gained a place in AUL Division One.



That promise wasn't all that evident last season when, for

various reasons, they struggled to make an impact at the top

level in Under 16. Then along came O'Regan and a new discipline

and confidence became evident. This is O'Regan's first venture

into management, a venture forced on him because his playing

career was cut short by injury.



Naturally enough, it isn't all down to the manager. There are

some smashing players in the squad. Ace forward Gary Quirke is

probably the best known. In one recent weekend, he totted up no

less than nine goals over two games (Under 17 and Youths). Other

prominent members of the squad are defenders Ronan Buckley and

Robert Dumigan.



But each and every one of the squad is valued by the manager:

"The lads show great committment for training and for matches".

They will do well this season but O'Regan expects further

improvement at youths level.



Buckley is the team captain and the other members of the panel

are: Pat Daly, Trevor Hosford, Colm McCarthy, Robert Dumigan,

Gary Quirke, Tony Finn, Marcus McSweeney, Ger Power, Padraig

O'Connell, John Stapleton, Michael O'Donovan, Fergal Healy, Leon

Kelleher, David Hobbs, Kieran O'Keeffe, and Damien Byrd.







end of story