Ballymoney record mixed results at Foyle Cup

SIXTY-SIX players travelled to the Maiden City to represent Ballymoney and District at this year’s Foyle Cup.

They had a friendship League representative team at the mini soccer U11 level, U12, U14 and U16 teams at 11-a-side level.

In the Under 11 section under the guidance of Gary Little, Ronnie McDowell and Aidan Doherty, Ballymoney had Derry & District , Stranocum and Innishowen in their group matches. In their opening match to Derry & District they lost 6-1. In their second match they drew 2-2 with Stranocum and finally they lost 3-0 to Innishowen in their last group match.

This put the U11’s into the Rosebowl were they defeated Coleraine Academy in the quarter-finals and in the semis against Shankill after a 1-1 draw they held their nerve to win on penalties.

In the final of the Rose Bowl they lost 5-1 to Ballinamallard.

In the U12 Section under the guidance of Peter Cairns, Carson Shaw and Ricky Mooney, Ballymoney had Arklow, Dungannon and Shankill. In their opening encounter they lost 4-1.

The next day they entertained NI Champions Dungannon and lost 6-0 and in their final group match they lost 3-0 to Shankill.

This put the u12’s in the Shield Semi-final were they defeated Armagh 2-0. In the final of the Shield the U12’s were 2-0 up into time added on when they lost their concentration and conceded two goals in two minutes to draw 2-2 against Carnbane.

Finally Ballymoney lost on penalties.

In the under 14 section under the guidance of Paul Gaston and Stephen McConville, Ballymoney had Carnbane, Top of the Hill and Innishowen in their group.

They started well with a 1-0 win against Carnbane. In their second match they lost 4-1 to Top of the Hill and in their final group match they also lost 1-0 to Innishowen. This moved the U14’s into the Rosebowl and in the quarter-finals they lost 4-2 to Newry City.

In the Rosebowl they lost 1-0 to the North West League and finally in the Rosebowl 7-8 place they won 3-2 against Enniskillen.

In the U16 Section under the guidance of Peter Tweed, James Steele and Hubert McVicker, Ballymoney had Dungannon, Rampo Valley and Innishowen. In their opening match they lost 2-1 to Dungannon.

The U16’s then played Rampo Valley and lost 3-0 and finally in their last group match lost 4-2 to Innishowen.

The U16’s moved into the shield quarter-finals were they defeated Ottawa Fury 1-0 but lost 2-0 to Lisburn Distillery in the semi-finals. In their final match they played Berties and after a 2-2 draw lost out on penalties.

Under 11

Leading Goal Scorer – Ryan McCook

Player Of The Tournament – Liam McCann

Under 12

Leading Goal Scorer – Neil Shaw

Player Of The Tournament – Still to be decided

Under 14

Leading Goal Scorer – Dessie Kearney

Player Of The Tournament – Gaetano Scozzari

Under 16

Leading Goal Scorer – Daniel Laverty

Player Of The Tournament – Tony Carson

On behalf of the committee they would like to thank all the managers, parents, locals sponsors, transport people and everyone involved to make this happen for the young adults of our Borough.