The O’Neills Foyle Cup will make history this summer after organisers confirmed that a record 1,013 teams will compete in the 2026 tournament, marking the first time the competition has surpassed the 1,000-team barrier in its 34-year history.
The milestone was unveiled at the tournament launch and group stage draw, where Derry City FC captain Michael Duffy helped kick-start the countdown to what promises to be the biggest O’Neills Foyle Cup ever staged.
1. FOYLE CUP 2026 LAUNCH. . . . .The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Grace Ui Niallais, pictured at Thursday's 2026 O'Neills Foyle Cup launch in the North West Regional College. Included at back are Greg Parke and Gemma Breslin, Seagate, John Murphy, O'Neills, Diolain Ward, Foyle Cup, Michael Duffy, Derry City, special guest, John Sheerin and James McDaid,, Derry Credit Union, Dr. Lynda Hegarty, North West Regional College and Philip Devlin, Foyle Cup. At front are some of the young footballers from the participating clubs.
Jim McCafferty Photography
2. The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Grace Ui Niallais, pictured at Thursday's 2026 O'Neills Foyle Cup launch in the North West Regional College. Included at back from left, John Murphy, O'Neills, Diolain Ward, Foyle Cup and Michael Duffy, Derry City, special guest. At front are some of the young footballers from Foyle Harps FC.
Jim McCafferty Photography
3. Special guest, Derry City's Michael Duffy pictured with his son at Thursday's 2026 O'Neills Foyle Cup launch in the North West Regional College.
Jim McCafferty Photography
4. Diolain Ward addressing the attendance at the launch of the 2026 O'Neills Foyle Cup at the North West Regional College on Thursday evening.
Jim McCafferty Photography
1 / 5