The Foyle Cup reached it's finale on Saturday after another successful year in one of Ireland's best run tournaments!
The University of Ulster Foyle Cup came to a thrilling end on Saturday with the traditional set of finals in the Brandywell.
First up was the Under 16 final, where host side Derry & District Youth League took on Waterford schools. Both sides had upset the odds on Friday evening in the semis, with Derry knocking our Sporting Lokeren and Waterford defeating their National team. After an even start, Derry took control with two goals on 13 and 16 minutes. First, Robert Hume crashed home a superb free kick from 25 yards, and minutes later Darren Coyle drove home a loose ball in the box. Waterford's woes were compounded in the second half when James Starmer was sent off for stamping off the ball. Robert Hume scored his second and Derry's third with minutes to go to secure the win.
In the Under 12 decided, Montpellier met St Kevin's Boys from Dublin. Both teams qualified by means of a penalty shoot out in the semi finals - Montpellier beating holders Hull City and St Kevin's holding their nerve to win out against Linfield in front of a large Belfast support at St Columb's Park. Montpellier were in control from the outset and this was confirmed when Jean Baptiste Pruniers broke from the half way line before rolling the ball into the net. In the second half the impressive Anthony Ribelin added to Montpellier's lead and the Foyle Cup was destined for the South of France.
Hosts Derry & District were hoping for an unprecedented Irish double in the final game at Under 14 against Sheffield United. Derry had defeated Belfast side FS Academy in the semis 1-0, whilst Sheffield had needed penalties to dispose of holders Hearts in the other game. However after 3 minutes, Sheffield United had taken the lead when Owen Heather got his toe on the end of a long throw in and directed the ball beyond the reach of Patrick Quigley in the Derry net. Quigley was picking the ball out of the net a few minutes later when he saved a free kick and Heather was first to reach and poked the ball into the net. Derry had their chances but Sheffield always looked strongest on the break in the first half. Shortly after half time when Adam Collins had a tremendous shot saved which would have got Derry back into the game. Derry continued to pressurise but just couldn't make the breakthrough to get back into the game.
Winners in the other cups were:
Under 10 Cup - Letterkenny Rovers
Under 11 Cup - Hearts FC
Under 12 Plate - Derry & District Youth League
Under 12 Roesbowl - Inishowen Youth League
Under 12 Shield - Limavady United
Under 12 Vase - Bertie Peacock Youth League
Under 14 Plate - Ferencvaros
Under 14 Rosebowl - Limavady United
Under 14 Shield - Ballymoney & District League
Under 14 Vase - Triangle Youth
Under 16 Plate - Kent Schools
Under 16 Rosebowl - Coleraine FC
Under 16 Shield - NECSL
Under 16 Vase - Dundalk Schools
See www.foylecup.com for all fixtures and results from the tournament.