02/10/2025
Young footballers from Ireland visited Stężyca: four days of sport, friendship and integration.
***** Translated from a local Polish Paper******
(Link to original article can be found Here)
Players from the Irish club Trim Celtic AFC spent several days in Stężyca. They not only explored the charms of Kashubia and the surrounding area, but above all, socialized with their peers from Stężyca clubs.
From September 25th to 28th, Stężyca became the site of a unique sporting event. At the initiative of Janusz Patriak , volleyball coach at Stężyca Sports Club, and his daughter, a 38-person group of young players and their coaches from Trim Celtic AFC in Ireland (County Meath) flew to Poland. These were two teams born in 2010, who spent four days not only competing on the pitch but also exploring the delights of Kashubia.
Upon arrival, the Irish team checked into the Resort Lubiński Hotel in Stężyca, but before arriving, they stopped in Szymbark , where they could explore the local culture and tourist attractions. They also enjoyed some sporting excitement – they played a friendly match against Radunia Stężyca , which allowed them to test their fitness after the trip.
Friday got off to a lively start. The young players tried their hand at kayaking on Lake Raduńskie Górne, admiring the beautiful Kashubian landscape. In the afternoon, they returned to the field for an internal friendly as part of their training preparation for the tournament.
The highlight of the visit was Saturday's tournament for the Stężyca Commune Mayor's Cup . Six teams competed , and excitement was high until the final whistle. Radunia Stężyca emerged victorious , defeating Pogoń Lębork 3-2 in a tightly contested final. The young Irish also had the opportunity to showcase their skills. Celtic Trim 1 lost 3-0 to Sierakowice in the third-place match , finishing fourth.
After the sporting events, it was time for team-building activities . In the evening, the Irish players spent time with the girls from the GKS Wieżyca Stężyca volleyball club , allowing the youngsters to exchange experiences and make new friends. There was dancing, karaoke, and a sumo tournament.
On Sunday morning, the guests departed for Gdańsk, where they explored the charming Old Town. This was the culmination of a visit that, as they themselves emphasized, left them with many positive emotions.
The Trim Celtic AFC coaches, as they emphasized, were delighted with the Kashubians and the hospitality of the inhabitants of Stężyca.
- We would like this cooperation to turn into a permanent exchange of sports groups from Poland and Ireland - emphasized the coaches of both clubs.
"The Irish guests saw the beauty of Kashubia, which I consider one of the most charming regions of Poland, still underappreciated," says coach Janusz Patriak. "They were delighted with the number of lakes, forests, and proximity to the sea. Some were visiting Poland for the first time and were surprised by our development, modernity, and infrastructure. They have already promised to come back again. I would like to extend special thanks to the Resort Lubiński hotel for such a warm welcome to the Irish group."
The visit of the Irish footballers demonstrated that sport has the power to unite people across borders and cultures. Perhaps soon, young players from Stężyca will visit Meath, continuing to build bridges of friendship and sporting cooperation.
