Picture Special: Thousands to attend 2025 Foyle Cup Tournament

The 2025 O’Neills Foyle Cup Tournament, which takes place between July 21st and 26th, was launched at a special event held at St Joseph’s School, Westway, Derry.

The venue was a fitting choice as the school won the Northern Ireland Under 18 Schools’ Cup in 2025, and they also host the Manchester United Foundation and the Stephen Gerard 17-19 Academy, organised by Derry City F.C.

St Joseph’s School Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane, said: “It is a huge pleasure to support the Derry & District Youth F.A., organisers of the O’Neills Foyle Cup and I commend the work done by this organisation, not just for the kids of this city and district but for all the kids who have had a memorable experience of competing in the event over the thirty plus years of its existence, since its humble beginnings in 1992.

“I am delighted to hear that no fewer than 950 teams will compete in the 2025 event, resulting in over 20,000 actual participants creating lifelong memories and am even more delighted that our school premises will host some of the 3,300 fixtures scheduled.”

John Murphy, on behalf of O’Neills Sports, title sponsors of the tournament, said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the O’Neills Foyle Cup, a tournament that captures the very best of youth football, community spirit, and international connection.

“With 950 teams competing this year from places as far afield as South Africa, Australia, the USA, Canada, Spain, Finland, and across the UK and Ireland, the O’Neills Foyle Cup is a powerful reminder of how sport brings people together.

“At O’Neills, we’re committed to supporting young athletes from the grassroots up, and this event truly reflects our passion for helping them grow in confidence, skill, and love for the game.

“We hope every player, coach, and supporter has a fantastic tournament experience and enjoys every moment on and off the pitch.”

The Deputy Mayor of Derry Strabane District Council, Darren Guy expressed his delight in how the event delivers for the city and district.

“I am proud to attend the formal launch of the 2025 Foyle Cup. The tournament is rightly regarded as one of the biggest and best celebrations of youth football in Europe and is a place where players, coaches and supporters make lifelong memories.

“As a Council, we are delighted to sponsor the tournament each year and provide playing pitches for games as part of our commitment to bring high level sporting events to our city and district.

“We believe sport can play a key role in promoting friendship, team skills and social cohesion. Good luck to all the teams as they finalise their preparations for what will be an unforgettable week of football in July.”

Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, Ciarán McQuillan said: “As Mayor of Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, I am delighted to be with you today as we prepare to welcome the return of the O’Neills Foyle Cup.

“July is set to be a fabulous month for football fans who can look forward to world class football on their doorstep and it is very encouraging to see that we have an even bigger tournament to look forward to this year.

“For many players the tournament will be an important stepping-stone in your football career. This is where you could be discovered and perhaps go on to play at the highest level.

“Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is a proud supporter of the Foyle Cup and we continue to build on the relationship through the use of Council’s playing fields at Scroggy Road and Roe Mill Road, Limavady and Curragh Road, Dungiven.

“The Foyle Cup makes an important contribution to our local economy but equally important, it promotes the very best attributes of our youth and promotes good relations between our communities by fostering meaningful and lasting friendships through sport.

“On behalf of the Council, I would like to express my appreciation of the huge amount of work that goes into organising the event. Derry & District Youth Football Association deserve great credit for their continued commitment to the six-day tournament.

“All of this is done on a voluntary basis with many people devoting their time, skills, and expertise for the benefit of our young people. Well done to you all.

“Finally, I would like to thank O’Neills, the title sponsor of the tournament and the various other sponsors which make this festival of sport possible.

“To each competing team, I wish you every success. The tournament will be complemented by our unrivalled tourist attractions and our unique hospitality and we look forward to welcoming fans, visitors, and players to our beautiful Borough. I hope it is a memorable week for everyone involved.”

CEO Joan Gallagher from Derry Credit Union expressed their delight in being invited to sponsor the mini soccer events during the Foyle Cup week and spoke of the excitement the whole city, – kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, experience during the week of the tournament.

“A fantastic week for the city and district and we are so proud to be supporting this wonderful, exciting, colourful event.

Cyril Moorhead, Good Relations Officer at Choice Housing, praised the organisers, not just on the success of the event in terms of numbers registered but more importantly, the tremendous work that has been done on a cross-community basis, actively promoting good relations and friendliness and welcome afforded to all visitors which is synonymous with the city and district.

Cyril said: “It is most pleasing to see how the Foyle Cup has grown into such a large international event and how much support the event has from local communities, schools, colleges, Ulster University and Northwest Regional College.

“The impact of the Foyle Cup is significant, from its contribution to the local economy to the impact it has on young people’s lives, their communities and the positive community relations that it builds.

“As a housing association, Choice is committed not only to building quality affordable homes but contributing positively to the communities that we operate in, this partnership is a prime example of this.

“I wish the organisers continued success this year and, in the years, ahead.”

Special Guest of Honour, Rory Holden, who played in the Foyle Cup for many years with his local team, Top of the Hill Celtic, said he was ever thankful to the organisers and his own junior club, for without the effort of so many, it is doubtful if he would be having the enriching experience of playing with his own professional club, All Saints from Wales as well as playing in the Champions’ League and Europa League competitions this year.

Rory said: “This event continues to thrive, grow and delivers for all our youth – boys, girls and those with sports disabilities. It is a real pleasure to be here to celebrate the success of this superb tournament.”

Philip Devlin, Foyle Cup committee member, in taking charge of the Draw, advised all that details of the draw were now available on tournament website www.foylecup.com and he expected that fixtures for the full week would be on site within 36 hours of launch.

He thanked all teams for their support and co-operation and wished them well in the tournament, from July 21-26.

Diolain Ward, of Foyle Cup committee member, said: “Thank you to everyone who gave of their time to be here this evening. In particular, I would like to thank our sponsors – Derry Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, O’Neills, Derry Credit Union, Choice Housing, Seagate, Inner City Trust, Brunswick Moviebowl, Ulster University and North West Regional College.

“Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Rory Holden for spending some of his much-valued time at home, with us, this afternoon and I wish him, on behalf of the member clubs of the Derry & District Youth Football Association, even more success in his football career.”, concluded Diolain.

Visit www.foylecup.com for further information on the competition and to see the results of the draw.

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