‘Bronco’ tournament hits 40-year milestone, and there’s plenty more to come!

From a pitch that was more sand than grass, to a state-of-the-art facility that any community would be proud of, the Eamon ‘Bronco’ Bradley football tournament has represented and symbolised great change in Leafair and its surrounding areas over the space of 40 years.

Held in honour of Eamon Bradley, a young man still very much remembered, the ‘Bronco’ tournament has produced some amazing players, teams, moments and memories throughout the years. From the very first tournament in September, 1985 when the Brazilians led by Finny and Dee Barr played Peggy's Telstar in the first final to last year’s dominant showing by Rosemount, thousands of local footballers have laced their boots in honour of a 23-year-old who meant so much to his family, friends and community.

This year’s competition started off on Monday night with Foyle Harps securing a dominant 4-1 victory over Celtic Bar before the Harps Youth team then fell just short against Don Boscos, losing 2-1.

On Tuesday night, current holders Rosemount started off the defence of their title emphatically, with an impressive 5-1 win over Quigley’s Point Swifts. The second game saw Carrowreagh defeat Goldswifts 3-0.

40 years in and still going strong, the ‘Bronco’ has stood the test of time and is the only tournament of its kind to boast such longevity in the city. Organiser Martin McGilloway believes the milestone would not have been possible without the hard work of committed individuals.

“The Bronco has a dedicated committee,” he said. “Don’t get me wrong, we’ve lost a couple of good committee members in the past year like Eddie Cooley, who used to do all the work for us in the Shantallow House, like getting the band and organising the functions.

"You the had Tony Hassan, who looked after the finals, and Peter MacDonald, who looked after the pitch. We have lost a few committee members, but in saying that we still have a good team there and I think that’s what keeps it strong. We have a good relationship with the Bradley family also, and we just feel that they would like us to keep going and they love that his name is being used and remembered.”

The ‘Bronco’ has come a long way, from those sandy pitches to the perfect playing facilities which the people of Leafair are understandably excited by and proud of.

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“I actually played in it myself, and I remember playing on the pitch with no changing rooms,” Martin laughed. “There was sand on both sides of the nets, right across the middle of the pitch, and there were small 7-a-side nets with no riggings. It is now a 4G pitch with state-of-the-art changing rooms, so it has come a massive, massive way in 40 years.”

At this stage, the ‘Bronco Bradley’ Cup is as much a part of Leafair as Leafair is a part if the ‘Bronco Bradley’ Cup.

“There’s a lot of people who say that,” Martin agreed. “They say that you couldn’t move it anywhere else. Leafair was the pitch where the Bronco started and Leafair will be the pitch until it ends, if it ever does.”

“Bronco was held in high esteem in this area, and it’s been proved by the turnouts to his commemorations and the turnouts to the football. His friends from 40 years ago never miss an event. They have all gone their separate ways in 40 years obviously, so this also gives them all the chance to meet up again, and that’s all through Bronco.”

40 years in, means just 10 away from a half century, and while Martin doesn’t believe he will be as hands on for the 50th celebrations, he has no doubt they will happen.

“There is a committee there and I have a daughter, Michaela, who already runs football competitions, so if I take a step back, she is willing to come in and take over and work with myself and the committee, so there are people there willing to do it,” he explained.

“Without Bronco’s family, whose input has helped the Bronco run for 40 years; without them, there would be no competition,” Martin concluded.

The first semi-final of the competition took place last night with Foyle Harps taking on Don Boscos, and they continue tonight with Carrowreagh meeting Rosemount. This year’s final will then take place on Friday evening, with a 7pm kick-off before the week’s celebration of ‘Bronco’ concludes with a 40th anniversary presentation and dance at Daly’s Bar & Bistro on Saturday night.