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| The Junior final |
The Walkinstown Open 2025 set a new standard for Subbuteo in Ireland, delivering unmatched competition, flawless execution, and outstanding community spirit. Hosted at the esteemed Cherrytree Walkinstown venue, players from across Ireland and the UK competed fiercely, showcasing top-level skills and sportsmanship.
Heartfelt Thanks: A huge thank you to Cherrytree Walkinstown for being not just our venue but truly exceptional hosts. Their generosity, superb facilities, and unwavering support created an unforgettable atmosphere. Additionally, enormous gratitude to the Cherrytree Dublin Subbuteo Club members who tirelessly contributed to the setup, logistics, and local pride, making the event seamless.
Special acknowledgments to John Moore, whose charismatic leadership and meticulous organization ensured every aspect of the tournament ran smoothly. Fin Moore, the unsung hero behind the screens, deserves praise for his outstanding organizational skills and crucial tracking efforts, which were instrumental in avoiding chaos.
Group Stage Recap: Group A saw Barry Spence secure first place with 11 points, closely followed by John Moore with 9 points, edging out Mario Frittelli on goal difference. In Group B, Andy Fitzpatrick dominated with a perfect 15-point record, with Shaune Dunne taking second place at 12 points. Mark Farrell was unstoppable in Group C, topping the group flawlessly with 15 points, while Mick O’Brien secured second place. Kenny Beggs mirrored this perfect performance in Group D, leading with 15 points, closely followed by Joe Harrington.
Open Knockout Highlights: The quarter-finals featured commanding wins from Barry Spence (5–0 against Mick O’Brien) and Joe Harrington (5–0 over Andy Fitzpatrick), the latter providing the tournament’s major upset. Kenny Beggs narrowly advanced past Shaune Dunne (3–2), and Mark Farrell confidently defeated John Moore (5–1). In intense semi-finals, Kenny Beggs defeated Barry Spence 3–0, while Mark Farrell overcame Joe Harrington 3–1.
Final Showdown: In a thrilling final, Kenny Beggs edged out Mark Farrell with a 3–2 victory, maintaining his unbeaten streak throughout the tournament. Beggs’ precise and relentless play confirmed his reputation as Ireland’s premier Subbuteo talent.
Shield Competition: The Shield competition witnessed Mario Frittelli’s clutch performances, notably his quarter-final victory (5–1 over Louis Herbert) and his penalty shootout wins in both the semi-final against Adrian Pigott and the tense final against Nick Pearson, ultimately claiming the Shield title.
Plate Competition: In the Plate division, Daniel Kaliszewski emerged as the victor, defeating Cian Hogan decisively 3–0 in the final after a competitive semi-final win over Roisin Hogan.
In the junior Competition, Roisin Hogan and Elliot Fitzpatrick Delivered an intense and evenly matched final, ending in a 0-0 draw at full time. then it went to penalty shootout where Roisin cool head took the win ending in 2-0 to Roisin on shot. For Roisin’s first tournament and a win she is a kid to watch.
Culinary Kudos: Special appreciation goes to the creators of the outstanding homemade chili con carne that fueled the competitors, sparked joy, and undoubtedly won its own unofficial final.
Key Tournament Insights:
Tournament Champion: Kenny Beggs, undefeated with exceptional tactical discipline.
Notable upset: Joe Harrington’s quarter-final victory over favorite Andy Fitzpatrick.
Shield Champion: Mario Frittelli, demonstrating exceptional nerve under pressure.
Plate Champion: Daniel Kaliszewski, exhibiting resilience and tactical brilliance.
The Walkinstown Open 2025 didn’t merely showcase elite Subbuteo competition—it celebrated the passion, precision, and camaraderie that define grassroots sports, setting an inspiring precedent for future tournaments.
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