Fermanagh and South Tyrone had a host of sides competing in this year’s Foyle Cup over the course of last week in a well-spirited and action-packed tournament.
Teams from U8 to U19 took part in the six-day event with a fair share of F&W clubs picking up silverware in the process.
Enniskillen Rangers U19 side capped off their tournament with a 3-1 win over Portrush in the Rose Bowl Third Place Playoff while there was heartbreak for their U13 girls side who narrowly lost out in the Shield final against fellow Fermanagh side Lisbellaw with one goal separating the sides.
The U11 and U12 side also recorded some impressive wins in a memorable tournament.
Kesh entered U8, U9, U10 and U15 sides with their U10 squad coming out on top in the Foyle Vase final with a 1-0 win over Quigley Point Swifts.
The Lisbellaw U11 girls finished fourth overall in the Foyle Cup after a semi-final exit.
The U9 boy's side lost out in the Shield semi-final after a penalty shootout didn’t go their way.
The U15 and U9 girls also suffered unfortunate losses in their semi-finals.
Enniskillen Town United also lifted a Rose Bowl trophy during their week in the competition with their U14 side concluding their tournament with a 2-0 win against Portstewart on the final day.
Irvinestown Wanderers’ U9 and U13 girl’s teams suffered close defeats in their final games while there were celebratory scenes for their U12 boys side in the Rose Bowl final and the U15 girls team with the latter beating Portrush 4-1 in their final.
Eleven boys' teams and two girl's sides represented Ballinamallard United at the 2024 edition of the Foyle Cup.
Eight of the 13 teams went on to play in one of the top two sections as the U10 side went all the way and won the cup.
Unbeaten and scoring 30 goals, concerning three helped Ballinamallard 2014s to secure the O’Neills Foyle Cup, finishing 1st of 88 teams. It is now the fifth time the Ducks have won the Foyle Cup with their first coming in 2010, followed by 2016 and twice in 2022.
The Blues stormed through the group stage with wins over Coleraine Olympic, Milford United, Clonmany Shamrocks, Aileach and Clooney to set up a last-16 game against Magherafelt Sky Blues
In the quarter-finals later that day against local neighbours Lisnaskea, who they beat 3-1.
Coleraine Peacocks were their opposition for a place in the final and the Fermanagh men who ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
Last year’s winners, Letterkenny Rovers awaited in the final.
The game was decided by a single goal. Adam Ellison led a breakaway and fed the ball to Zach Fulton, who in turn played in Alfie Thompson on the wing and his cross to the back post was powered home by Fulton.
The U8 and U10 Colts boys went on to miss out with defeat in the Vase semi-final and the U11 were unsuccessful in the Rose Bowl final.
The U15 side St Patrick’s, Castlederg side ended their week on a high with a 2-1 win against Oxford United.
Their U17 side were victorious in the Globe final against Coagh United with a win on penalties.
Tummery Athletic’s girl's side were beaten 3-2 in their Rose Bowl final with Castlewellan but gained some great experience in their first year playing in the tournament, meanwhile, the Dromore club’s U15 team defeated Lisnaskea in their final game.
All in all, it was another year of memories for some of Fermanagh’s bright future football stars as there were plenty of trophies won over the course of the week, all participating clubs will be hopeful to see their players make a return next year.
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