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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

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. The 2006 competition was launched by Lawrie Sanchez. 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.

Location

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

• K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen
• Ottawa Fury FC
• AC Horsens
• Altrincham FC
• AFC Bournemouth
• Fulham F.C.
• Norwich City F.C.
• Port Vale F.C.
• Sheffield United F.C.
• Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
• Montpellier Hérault SC
• Arminia Bielefeld
• Werder Bremen
• Ferencváros
• Cherry Orchard F.C.
• Bohemians F.C.
• Derry City F.C.
• Finn Harps F.C.
• Letterkenny Rovers F.C.
• Brescia Calcio
• Armagh City F.C.
• Ballymena United F.C.

• Portstewart F.C.
• Coleraine F.C.
• Glentoran F.C.
• Institute F.C.
• Linfield F.C.
• Aberdeen F.C.
• Celtic F.C.
• Heart of Midlothian F.C.
• Hibernian F.C.
• IFK Göteborg

Other regular teams to appear

• Derry and District League Youth Teams
• USL Youth teams

References

1. Niall Quinn Launches 2003 Foyle Cup Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 15 June 2007
2. Foyle Cup launched by Sanchez retrieved 15 June 2007
3. "Dubliners sink QPR to reach final stages". Belfast Telegraph. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2016 – via InfoTrac Newsstand.
4. "Celtic target treble as Foyle Cup goes from strength to strength". Belfast Telegraph. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2016 – via InfoTrac Newsstand.
5. "Foyle Cup 'a hughly successful tournament'". Derry Journal. 26 July 2016. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016.
6. "United Soccer Leagues (USL)". Archived from the original on 2012-05-03. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
7. ^ "Isaiah Osbourne set to complete Blackpool switch". Edinburgh Evening News. Johnston Press. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 20 July 2012. Meanwhile, two goals from David Paul and another from Jay Doyle gave Hibs Under-20s a 3-1 win over Finn Harps to clinch their place in the final of the Foyle Cup in which they will face Ballymena.

External links

• Official Site
• Foyle Cup Kicks off 2006

• International association football competitions hosted by Northern Ireland
• Youth football competitions
• Youth association football in Northern Ireland