Derry's Foyle Cup congratulated on 'stunning spectacle'

The Foyle Cup has been praised following the success of this year's event.

Councillors were discussing the annual football tournament at the monthly meeting of Derry and Strabane District Council on Wednesday in the Guildhall.

Mayor of Derry, Cllr Lilian Seenoi-Barr congratulated the organisers of the popular football tournament, which seen over 700 teams compete for five days earlier this month.

Cllr Barr said: “I want to congratulate every single organiser and the players and the families for an amazing show throughout the week.

“I had the opportunity of welcoming them to the Guildhall and the buzz was just incredible, it was my first experience and I really enjoyed it. I also went to the finals which was amazing.”

Sinn Féin councillor Christopher Jackson echoed Mayor Barr's sentiments, describing the Foyle Cup as a “fantastic event”.

Cllr Jackson asked if a report could be presented to councillors at council's Health & Community committee, stating how much support was provided to the Foyle Cup from the council.

Cllr Jackson said: “Council have provided a lot of kind support to the Foyle Cup and I would request that a report is brought back to the relevant committee, possibly Health and Communities, just to quantify exactly how much support the Foyle Club receives from this council because there's a lot of negative publicity in relation to this and a lot of misinformation that has been circulated.

“I think our council's commitment in supporting the Foyle Club cannot be in question.”

Mayor Barr said that the Foyle Cup has received financial support of up to £90,000 from the council.

Supporting Cllr Jackson's proposal, SDLP councillor Catherine McDaid said that council received negative publicity despite the Foyle Cup being rejected for funding by Tourism NI two years in a row.

Cllr McDaid's party colleague, Cllr Rory Farrell asked if the report could include guidance on how council could help organisers of the Foyle Cup 'fine tuning' their funding application going forward.

Cllr Farrell described the Foyle Cup as a “stunning spectacle”.

UUP Alderman Derek Hussey described Tourism NI's decision to reject the Foyle Cup's funding application as “galling”.

Ald Hussey said the event brings “immense” tourism benefits to the city and district.

He proposed if a council delegation could meet with Tourism NI to discuss why funding had been rejected.

His proposal was seconded by SDLP councillor John Boyle.