Northend United Youth claim silverware at Foyle Cup

Northend U11s with team coaches Paul Adams, Joe Kidd, and Niall Kelly at the Foyle Cup.Northend U11s with team coaches Paul Adams, Joe Kidd, and Niall Kelly at the Foyle Cup.
Northend U11s with team coaches Paul Adams, Joe Kidd, and Niall Kelly at the Foyle Cup.
Northend United were well represented last week in this year's Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup tournament with two teams in the competition.

Playing in some severe heat conditions, Northend U10s and U11s both had an outstanding week in the top youth tournament and each team gained valuable experience playing against some of the top youth teams in their age group.

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A delighted Northend United Chairman, Johnny Sayers was full of praise for the performance of the young teams who conducted themselves superbly on and off the pitch in the north west.

He went on to express his thanks to the team managers and coaches, team sponsors, parents and players for their support throughout the week.

The highlight of the week was the U10s outstanding success in the Vase competition where they beat Oliver Plunketts Colts in the quarter-final stage, Irish side Allies Celtic in the semi-final stage before eventually winning a very tense final match on penalties against Magherafelt Sky Blues.

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In the group stages, Ally McGarry’s young team turned in top performances against Lifford Celtic, Lagan Harps, Top of the Hill Celtic, Oxford United, Dungannon Youth and last season’s winners, Roe Valley Colts.

“The boys’ skill and determination shone through all week” commented McGarry.

“To win this Cup after nine gruelling matches in five very warm days is true testament to all the hard work the team have put in throughout the season.

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“I’d like to thank fellow coaches Gordon Patterson, Jamie Pirie and Peter Kennedy and our travelling support for all their help throughout the week”

The U11s also had a week to remember, gaining a number of new friends along the way whilst winning their quarter final match against Ballymoor before eventually losing their semi-final match against Roe Valley Colts.

In between, Joe Kidd’s young team gave a good account of themselves against Lisburn Youth, Ballybofey United, Sion Mills, Tristar Colts and Newtownards District Primary Schools League side in the group stages.

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“The boys will be wiser and stronger for this experience, with the match against Newtownards District Primary Schools being the highlight” added Kidd.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the parents and grandparents who travelled all week to vocally support the boys and to fellow coaches Paul Adams and Niall Kelly for all their assistance during the week.

“We can’t wait for next year’s tournament to begin!”

PRE-SEASON PLANS

Fielding no less than eighteen youth teams for the incoming football season, ranging in age from U7 to U17, all the Northend United teams are looking forward to getting back to prepataions for the new campaign.

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Pre-season will commence on Monday 1st August at the Ballymena Showgrounds Pitch 3.

With a number of additions already to each of the teams, following a series of successful Open nights, all at Wakehurst Academy Club are looking forward to a super season that sees five of the Teams competing in the Lisburn Invitational Youth League, U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s and U17s, and the twelve youngest teams in the small sided games environment of the North West Coleraine and District Youth League and the Irish FA’s small sided games tournament at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Brian McCluney’s U16s will also play in the North West Coleraine and District Youth League.

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The ambitious Northend United Club are always on the lookout for new talented players and coaching assistants for each of their youth teams and with their partnership with Wakehurst FC, the Club can offer the benefits of a progressive intermediate league football, with established paths from small sided games right up to intermediate league football.

As always, training will be supervised at all times by UEFA B and Coerver qualified coaches and everyone will be made to feel most welcome

If you would like to play in any of the Northend teams, then please get in contact with the following Team Managers

U8s (2009) John Devlin 0791 9056 834;

U9s (2008) Gordon Patterson 0782 7343 272;

U10s (2007) Alex McDonald 0774 2239 674;

U11s (2006) Ally McGarry 0777 9005 441;

U12s (2005) Joe Kidd 0778 7150 817;

U13s (2004) Robert Adams 0776 6257 645;

U14s (2003) Brian Martin 0776 0557 049;

U15s (2002) Johnny Day 0779 4534 827;

U16s (2001) Brian McCluney 0785 6071 928;

U17s (2000) Tony Shaw 0779 2184 089

All coaching enquiries should get in contact with John Devlin on 07919056834

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