Foyle Cup
The Foyle Cup is a youth soccer tournament held every year in Derry City, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Along with the SuperCupNI, which takes place around the same time, The Foyle Cup is one of Ireland and indeed Europe's premier youth tournaments.
History
[edit | edit source]The competition began in 1992 with only eight teams competing. It is seen as one of the most important and pivotal tournaments in Northern Ireland, as it presents an opportunity for the youth of Northern Ireland to show their abilities. Academy teams of such European clubs as Werder Bremen, IFK Göteborg and Ferencváros have participated in the tournament, along with teams from the U.S. and Canada in recent times. It is widely recognised as a tournament that launches the careers of young players aspiring to sign professional contracts. In 2003 former Republic of Ireland player and current Sunderland chairman, Niall Quinn launched the tournament.[1] The 2006 competition was launched by Lawrie Sanchez.[2] In June 2007, Foyle Cup chairman, Michael Hutton confirmed that the 2007 competition will feature special guest, Liverpool F.C. legend Phil Neal. The competition has been title sponsored by local businesses such as Football special cola and Hughes insurance.[3][4][5]
Location
[edit | edit source]All Foyle Cup matches are played around County Londonderry and the surrounding area, including Letterkenny and Strabane. Final matches are played in The Brandywell Stadium, although, from time to time, it may vary.
Notable past participants
[edit | edit source]- Belgium K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen
- Canada Ottawa Fury FC[6]
- Denmark AC Horsens
- England Altrincham FC
- England AFC Bournemouth
- England Fulham F.C.
- England Norwich City F.C.
- England Port Vale F.C.
- England Sheffield United F.C.
- England Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
- France Montpellier Hérault SC
- Germany Arminia Bielefeld
- Germany Werder Bremen
- Hungary Ferencváros
- Republic of Ireland Cherry Orchard F.C.
- Republic of Ireland Bohemians F.C.
- Republic of Ireland Derry City F.C.
- Republic of Ireland Finn Harps F.C.[7]
- Republic of Ireland Letterkenny Rovers F.C.
- Italy Brescia Calcio
- Northern Ireland Armagh City F.C.
- Northern Ireland Ballymena United F.C.[7]
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- Northern Ireland Portstewart F.C.
- Northern Ireland Coleraine F.C.
- Northern Ireland Glentoran F.C.
- Northern Ireland Institute F.C.
- Northern Ireland Linfield F.C.
- Scotland Aberdeen F.C.
- Scotland Celtic F.C.
- Scotland Heart of Midlothian F.C.
- Scotland Hibernian F.C.[7]
- Sweden IFK Göteborg
- United States Inter CT F.C.
- Other regular teams to appear
References
[edit | edit source]- ^ Niall Quinn Launches 2003 Foyle Cup Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 15 June 2007
- ^ Foyle Cup launched by Sanchez retrieved 15 June 2007
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