It’s Official! Youghal United are Guinness World Record Holders – Guinness recognises club’s new world record for “longest five-a-side soccer marathon” Photo: www.youghalonline.com

After thirty-three and a half hours of non-stop, five-a-side soccer, the hardest part of Youghal United’s quest to break the world record for the longest five-a-side soccer match may have been the eleven weeks they’ve had to wait to find out if their record-breaking attempt would be officially recognized by Guinness World Records.

Last week event organizer Jock Gallogley got the following good word from Guinness:  “The longest five-a-side football marathon is 33 hr 30 min by members of Youghal United AFC (Ireland) at Ardrath Park, Youghal, Ireland from 5-7 June 2010.” A certificate and other official documentation are now on their way to the club.

Many will remember the excitement and drama at Ardrath Park this past June bank holiday weekend, when sixteen stout and hardy souls, a few well past their physical prime (we won’t name names, but they know who they are), bravely battled hunger, fatigue and the elements to beat the world record formerly held by Club Next, a youth organisation in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.

When the dust finally settled at Ardrath Park that balmy Sunday evening, Youghal United’s record breaking attempt was just beginning. Over the next few weeks, the club started work on completing the strict record verification procedures required by Guinness, which were nearly as big a challenge as breaking the record itself. A package of video highlights, photos, witness reports, and a logbook of player substitutions and rest breaks were turned over to Guinness for scrutiny. Just one mistake in the club’s presentation could cost them the record.

Thankfully, the record is now official, and the following sixteen players can now truly call themselves Guinness World Record holders:

Martin Coen, Christophe Colin, Kevin Gallogley, Leon Geary, Peter Geary, Barry Goggin, Pierce Hennessy, Stuart Hickey, Anthony Kelly, David Kenneally, Mike Lyons, Patrick Morrissey, David O’Keefe, Gavin O’Leary, Aidan Ryan, and Diarmuid Schuel

While the players deserve much praise for their incredible achievement, the event organizers and many supporters are also worthy of recognition.

Emmett Perry, Jock Gallogley, Ken Dempsey, Jamie Lawton, Sally O’Sullivan, Finbarr Walsh, Sammy Revins, Brian Wade, T Kennedy, and Dick Sheehan of Youghal United all had a part to play, as did many other volunteers from the club and the town. The support of physiotherapist Jimmy Healy and his staff, the tireless work of videographer Willie O’Mahony, and backing from main sponsors T&M Fitzgerald Homes, Youghal Credit Union, Bertie’s Bar and Farrell’s Summerfield Bar were also greatly appreciated.

Mark your calendars for next year’s June Bank Holiday weekend, as Youghal United now try to figure out how to top their Guinness World Record breaking success.