The 7th Annual Mayor’s Cup popped off  Saturday August 6th, 2011 at9 AM!  This annual event, part of the Baltimore International Festival, draws teams from all over the East Coast who compete under the flag of a chosen country in a World Cup style tournament.

Liam Flynn’s Baltimore Celtic F.C. entered the tournament as Ireland and was unfortunate to be draw into the “group of Death” with six-time champions Cameroon.   Baltimore Celtic F.C. played well our first day out as a team, winning two games and losing two in the toughest group in the Cup.  In our first game ever as a new team, Celtic started off shaky and conceded a series of soft goals to lose to the Caribbean.  We made some quick lineup changes and righted the ship, demolishing Ethiopia 4-0.  Next up was six time defending champions Cameroon, who were only able to nick two goals off of us.  Celtic last faced Kenya (who has tied Cameroon in their previous game).  With the possibility of advancing (if Celtic won and Caribbean somehow tied or lost to Ethiopia, Celtic would advance) the bhoys took to the field with renewed spirit and cramped up legs.  And won! Celtic picked apart Kenya’s defenses and held firm at the back for a 3-1 result.  Carribean defeated Ethipoia 2-0 at the same time, however, so Celtic missed out on advancing by one point.  Overall a great day for the bhoys!

Also, all day long, team Ireland was joined by the boys from NextGame.  They were there to demonstrate their new free iphone app that helps athletes organize pick-up games.  Download the app or visit their web-site  to learn more.

NextGame coverage here.

UPDATE: CAMEROON won the Mayor’s Cup and CARIBBEAN came in second place – these were the only two teams Celtic lost to, so nothing to be ashamed of there bhoys (though this further confirms how unlucky we were to get drawn into this year’s “Group of Death”).