Latest Press Release: IRISH STAR TO LAUNCH THIS YEAR’S HUGHES INSURANCE FOYLE CUP! The wait for clubs entered in this year’s Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup is almost over as the Official Press Launch of the 2014 tournament will take place in the City Hotel, Derry on Monday May 26th. Special Guest of Honour will be Republic of Ireland International and Aston Villa goalkeeper /first team coach Shay Given. Given, Ireland’s second highest capped international player with 125 caps, has had a long and distinguished career having been signed by Celtic, Blackburn, Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa where he played in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Inter Toto Cup as well as representing his country at FIFA World Cup Competition and UEFA Euro Championships. In expressing his delight at Given’s willingness to be Special Guest Of Honour this year, Tournament Chairman Michael Hutton commented, “ On the field of play at league or international level, there can be no better role model for young players than Shay Given. What he has achieved in his playing career is truly outstanding, evidenced by the level of competition at which he has competed both for club and country. We have a tradition of inviting former players to be our Guest of Honour and it is pleasing to note than Shay played in the Derry & District Youth League in his development years. We are delighted that he will honour us with his presence this year. The Foyle Cup has been a passport to professional football for many players from Irish shores - Robbie Keane, Stephen Ireland, John O Shea, Kevin Kilbane, Richard Dunne, Stephen Ireland, as well as local players - Darron Gibson, Paddy Mc Court, Daniel Laffterty, James Mc Clean, Saul Deeney, Micheal Kennedy, Shane Duffy, Dean Shields, Shane Ferguson to name but a few and has been a direct feeder to our Senior Club Derry City FC, with more than three quarters of the local Derry City squad over the past few years having been developed by the Derry & District Youth Football Association. This year’s event will run from July 21st to July 26th and will witness its highest ever entry of more than 230 teams across 11 age groups. Chairman Michael Hutton commenting on the huge increase in teams this year said, “The growth of the Foyle Cup is a true success story for all of us here in the city. Indeed such has been the success of the event which has grown from 132 teams in 2011 to over 230 teams in 2014, that this year we shall see games played all across the North West - Derry, Limavady, Strabane, Dungiven, Killea, Greysteel, Buncrana, Moville, Cockhill, Greencastle, St Johnstone. It has been amazing to note the ever growing interest in this event which began as a one day 8 team tournament in 1992 and now has developed into a truly wonderful festival of football.” Mr Hutton continued, “In this city over the past 12 months we have witnessed many wonderful and successful events and the Foyle Cup ranks right up there with them all. We have delivered not just during the City of Culture year but every year since 1992, and we attract increasingly large numbers of visitors to our city who occupy huge numbers of bed-nights, creating immense spending in the local economy throughout the week of the event – even though we do not always gain the plaudits we deserve when successful events are discussed in the media by those involved in promoting tourism locally. In conclusion, Chairman Michael Hutton stated, “There can be no doubt about the respect that The Foyle Cup has gained over the years. Our economy has been in a deep recession for the past three or four years and yet the tournament continues to grow and prosper. This year we have over 230 teams competing. Why do so many teams want to identify with the event? There are a number of factors which have contributed to this growth. The warmth and hospitality afforded all its visitors by the local people; the quality of service and accommodation provided by local hoteliers and B&Bs; the high standard of playing surface evident throughout the event; the friendly yet competitive nature of the football played and lastly but by no means least, the planning, administration and organisation that goes into the event by so many of us who give of our services in a totally voluntary basis. There are no paid employees in the Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup – just a band of volunteers who strive hard to put on an event that all of us can be proud of and which puts forward a positive image of our city and the North West region. “ Mr Hutton acknowledged the support afforded the event by Derry City Council, Department for Social Development, Department of Culture & Leisure, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Limavady Borough Council, Strabane District Council, Hughes Insurance, Legea, Seagate, E& I Engineering, PSNI Foyle Branch, Brunswick Superbowl and Derry Credit Union. More details regarding this year’s event can be viewed on tournament website foylecup, facebook/foylecupfootball or Tel 02871359734
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 15:06:52 +0000
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