Tristar Colts under-10s, one of the local teams competing in this year’s Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup.
SDLP Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood has paid tribute to the “hard work of everyone behind the tremendous success” of the Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup, describing it as a “world renowned international festival of football.”
The tournament sees over 220 teams competing at venues throughout the North West – the biggest entry since the event began 22 years ago.
Up to 4,000 people took part in the tournament’s Opening Parade in the city this morning.
Commending Foyle Cup chairman Michael Hutton, Mr Eastwood said all those who work on the event had “cemented” it into a “world renowned international festival of football”
Mr Eastwood said: “Huge congratulations are due to all of those who have helped make the Foyle Cup the international success story it has undoubtedly become. “The people of this city and its natural hinterland of North Donegal, Limavady, Dungiven and Strabane owe these hard working organisers a debt of gratitude for the economic and social boost the Foyle Cup has generated.
“Hundreds of young people, coaches, parents and spectators flood into our city year after year in what has become a great boon for local businesses.
“The competition also provides a perfect opportunity to showcase the great tourism offering of our city and region.
“The competition has had an enormous benefit on the development of grass roots football and Irish football in general.”
Mr Eastwood concluded: “Players of the ilk of Robbie Keane, Stephen Ireland, John O’Shea and Kevin Kilbane as well as local talent such as Darron Gibson, Shay Given, James McClean, Daniel Lafferty, Paddy McCourt and Seamus Coleman all blossomed into household names after playing in the competition which always attracts a huge number of scouts searching for the next big star.”
