With 6 days to kickoff for the 2006 University of Ulster Foyle Cup, excitement in the Maiden City is growing. Next week promises to be a real 'Festival of football' with a rival attraction to the Foyle Cup taking place on Thursday night when Derry City entertain IFK Goteborg in a UEFA Cup qualifying match.
The extreme temperatures experienced in Derry this week are expected to drop to more comfortable levels, leaving the players to raise the tempo and provide all the heat needed in the city. With 21 pitches being used across the city and in some neighbouring towns, local communities are expected to support the tournament and welcome all our visitors to the local area.
Highlight of the week will be the newly created Under 21 competition where Derry City and IFK Goteborg once again do battle but will face stiff opposition from Monaghan United and the University of Ulster team. Cherry Vale Fog aren't coming from New York to make up the numbers and intend to take advantage of the fact that all the attention will be on the profile game in the Ladies competition, Derry City v Linfield - but which of the sides will progress to Friday night's final.
The other new category is the Under 11 Mini-Soccer competition - where the stars of tomorrow will battle it out in a reduced field 7 a-side version of football. With 24 games a day at the Vale Centre, local supporters know where to go to see lots of action.
The other categories see Hearts and Ferencvaros attempt to retain their titles at Under 12 & Under 16 respectively. They will face stiff competition. In the Under 12 team, Birkirkara of Malta - whose senior club are also competing in the Champions League qualifiers at the moment will attempt to go all the way after a disappointing first year in the competition. However Werder Bremen, Montpellier, Fulham, Aberdeen & Hull City headline a very difficult age group. And who says the winner will come from outside Ireland. Hosts Derry & District as well as South Belfast Youth League will be feeling confident of mixing it with the 'big boys' and it's almost impossible to predict who will make the Brandywell on Finals Saturday.
Under 14 will see a new winner this year as Brescia have other commitments. That leaves the door open for many teams and Carnegie Irish League Champions Linfield FC are sending a strong side to Foyleside. They fully intend to be in the Brandywell on Saturday flying the flag for Northern Ireland. However Arklow Town are still smarting from a superb 3rd place 2 years ago in the Under 12 competiton and would dearly love to take this title. They have kept their team intact for 3 years and see the Foyle Cup as a natural stepping stone for a superb squad. Non-Irish sides are also expected to shine, Sheffield United know what winning the Foyle Cup is all about - having won the first two Under 18 tournaments and one of the sides they beat in those finals, Arminia Bielefeld of the German Bundesliga are also represented at this age group. Hearts, Aberdeen and Ferencvaros are amongst the other seeds.
And finally the Under 16 competition. Ferencvaros of Hungary defeated local side Derry & District on penalties after a memorable final last year. They want to retain their title but will have to fight hard to hold on to it. Hutchison Vale from Scotland could be the unknown side in this age group. Another side who have played together for many years, they had a great Foyle Cup a few years ago almost making it to the final - will they step up a gear this year? We'll have to wait and see. Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday, Raith Rovers and Sporting Lokeren are all sure to send strong squads, but where will the Irish challenge come from. If they can get out of the groups NECSL and Dundalk Schools will give all the big names a run for their money.
So - go to www.foylecup.com now and get all the fixtures. Plan your week and the one thing we can guarantee is that for fun and excitement, Derry is the place to be next week. The Foyle Cup is known as The friendly face of football for a reason.
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