Footballers kick off with memorial tournament

PETER JONES

Senior football made its opening appearance for the 2023 season on Saturday when the annual John Columbus senior men’s tournament was staged at A and P Park.

Four teams took the opportunity to shake off some summer rust before their respective competitions begin later this month.

Rangers AFC, who will again play in the Nelson division one competition, took out the title for the second consecutive year, beating Central Buccaneers 2-1 in a highly-competitive final. Trojans Spartans came third with Woodbourne fourth.

The tournament was initiated in 2022, in memory of John Columbus, one of the province’s footballing stalwarts.

Paul O’Donnell

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