HUGHES INSURANCE FOYLE CUP chairman Michael Hutton says this year’s competition, which came to an end at the weekend, was another spectacular tournament for youth players throughout the country.
Hutton also feels underage football in and around the north-west in particular is in a healthy state. From 14 finalists, 11 of those sides came from Derry and Donegal and, because of that, Hutton believes the competition will help in the long term for senior sides in the area.
“The Foyle Cup is the biggest event in Derry city’s calendar, not just the biggest sporting event,” said Hutton.
“There’s nothing to compare with it: the Jazz Festival and Halloween Festival are great events, but do they create bed nights for five and six nights? Do they bring 100 per cent occupancy to hotels in the city? We’re bringing people in from all over the world.
“The tourist board say it brings in £1.6million, but they’ve grossly underestimated that. I would say it’s in excess of £2 million the Foyle Cup is bringing into the local economy this week. The hotels are buzzing and it’s a full week residential stay. They’re staying in Strabane, Limavady and all over Donegal.
“We had 278 teams and 853 matches spread across the whole north-west region over six days. Last year, we had 220 teams, so it’s definitely the biggest by far.
“It’s a grassroots event with professional clubs involved. Our kids are getting the chance to play against teams like Celtic, Motherwell and Norwich – that’s a dream delivered to so many of them. It’s a wonderful story for the people of this city.
“We have seven finals on Saturday, which meant there were 14 finalists and 11 of those came from the greater Derry, Donegal and Inishowen area, so, in the long term, that can only help our senior clubs from those areas.”
After the fantastic week of football on Foyleside, Saturday brought finals day and it was a beautiful one at the Brandywell for the deciders.
Scottish giants Celtic were involved in the first final of the day as they took on Donegal Schoolboys in the U14 decider. Although the Donegal teenagers battled throughout, goals in each half from David McKay and Elia N’Goy ensured Celtic claimed the title.
The second final of the day was the U12 decider and Donegal Schoolboys were involved again, this time against Sligo/Leitrim Youth League. It was Donegal who raced into the lead when Adam Murphy waltzed his way through the defence and finished off beautifully.
Sligo/Leitrim equalised thanks to Caelan Hunt heading home from a corner and they took the lead in the second half through Dylan Walsh, but Donegal fought back and levelled through Joshuna Bradley.
There wasn’t much in the penalties and it was decided by just one kick, Sligo/Leitrim eventually running out 4-3 victors.
There was a neighbourly clash to round off finals day as Inishowen faced Derry Colts in the U16 decider. The Brandywell attracted its biggest crowd of the day for this one as the two local sides went head-to-head and, just when the game looked like finishing scoreless, striker Nathan McEneff fired home his fifth goal of the competition to give Derry Colts the win.
On Friday, the dreaded spotkicks had to decide both the U10 and U11 finals, with Bertie Peacock’s and Glentoran Academy securing the titles. Derry City claimed the U17 and U19 titles, beating Kildrum and Finn Harps respectively.
FOYLE CUP WINNERS
U9: Roe Valley; U10:Bertie Peacock’s YL; U11: Glentoran;U12:Sligo/Leitrim YL; U13: Waterford Schools Boys; U14: Celtic; U15: Inishowen YL; U16: Derry Colts; U17: Derry City; U19: Derry City; Ladies': Derry City; Girls' U11: Bangor Ladies; Girls' U13: Bangor Ladies
