The biggest ever O’Neill’s Foyle Cup begins tomorrow with an incredible 740 teams ready to make their dreams come true in the biggest football tournament the city has ever seen.
Over the next seven days, teams from Derry, Donegal and beyond will play at 40 different venues across the city, Strabane, Limavady, Claudy, Greysteel, Coleraine, Dungiven, Castledawson as well as Inishowen and Donegal. This year will see a mouth-watering 2,932 matches involving under-8 up to under-19 in boys, girls and a sports with disability category with teams represented from across Ireland, UK, Europe, and the United States. With match officials from Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and the Netherlands also lending a helping hand, there is once again an international feel to a much-loved tournament.
The 2024 O’Neill’s Foyle Cup will start this morning with the annual parade through the city. Players, coaches and family members will set off from Ulster University’s Derry Campus making their way via Northland Road, Great James Street and Strand Road before gathering at Guildhall Square for an official welcome by Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Lillian Seenoi-Barr and Causeway Coast and Glens Mayor Ciaran McQuillan.
Speaking ahead of this week’s spectacle, Philip Devlin, Foyle Cup Secretary, said: ‘The Foyle Cup parade holds great significance, not only for the countless young players who proudly march through the city, but also for their families. It’s wonderful to see the whole community lining the route and showing their unwavering support for the teams during this memorable occasion. With this year’s Foyle Cup being our largest ever, we once again extend our immense gratitude to our fantastic sponsors and partners for their invaluable contributions in orchestrating this remarkable event.’
Hopeful
One of the teams hoping for Foyle Cup success this year are Partick Thistle FC, who are eagerly preparing for what promises to be an exciting and memorable experience.
The Scottish outfit already has a history of participating in the Foyle Cup, and the benefits of this exposure are well recognised within the club. Craig Dargo, Academy Director, highlights the valuable experience gained from previous tournaments, emphasising the opportunity for players to develop both on and off the pitch.
“It’s such a good experience for the players to come across and experience a new environment, and play different teams at the same time,” said Dargo, who enjoyed a fine playing career in Scotland for the likes of Kilmarnock, Inverness, and St Mirren, including a short spell at Partick Thistle before later returning to join the club’s academy.
“I think it’s invaluable and it’s about the memories you can create as well. We’ll be bringing our 2007 age group, but we’ll incorporate some younger players as well to give them a bit of experience and challenge them at the same time.”
For many of the players, this will be their first time in Derry, marking a significant milestone in their young careers. Dargo notes that while some players have been to the Foyle Cup in the past, the majority are new to this international tournament setting.
Dargo explained: “The Foyle Cup offers something different for our players. It takes them out of their comfort zone a little bit and provides a professional tournament experience. I think for the majority, this will be the first experience of going away and playing in this type of event. It’s also our preseason at this moment in time, so it’s an ideal opportunity to play a lot of games in such a short period and get the players ready for the start of the season. All the reports have come back saying the people are so friendly and it’s such a great cup. The players are really looking forward to it and I am as well.”
While the primary focus is on the football, the team is also looking forward to exploring Derry and participating in various activities that the city has to offer. Staying right in the city centre, the team is well-positioned to experience the local culture and landmarks.
“We’re coming over to enjoy our football, get ready for the start of the season, and hopefully have a very enjoyable time,” said the Jags’ Academy Director.
“We’re staying right in the heart of it all, so I’m sure we’ll get plenty of time to go out and see what Derry has to offer. We’re looking forward to exploring the city as a group, as it’s great for team bonding and creating positive memories for the players.”
The O’Neills Foyle Cup takes place from 15-20 July 2024. More information can be found at https://foylecup.com.
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