O'NEILL'S FOYLE CUP 2024 - What is the Foyle Cup like for parents?

The Foyle Cup is a wonderland for thousands of young footballers, but for the parents, it’s a week-long rollercoaster of pride, excitement, nervousness and organisation.

All along the sidelines along every pitch across Derry and beyond this week, parents will stand, praying, encouraging and even sometimes crossing a line as they get swept up in the world of Foyle Cup competition.

For some it’s all about winning, but for most it’s about participation, enjoyment and fun, and if their child enjoys themselves along the way, then a trophy at the end is nothing but a nice bonus.

Kevin Ward is one of many parents who finds his week torn in different directions this week, as his sons Kian, Don Boscos U13s, and Noah, Don Boscos U9s enjoy the Foyle Cup experience. Getting from one pitch to another in a town bumper to bumper with traffic to catch each game is a challenge in itself, with Kevin and his wife Tish having to work out the logistics on a daily basis.

“It's crazy,” Kevin laughed. “I should have got extra annual leave to make up for it. It's the first time in 3 years that I'm not coaching, so I'm excited. I enjoy it a bit more and I get into the game. But the family is split in two, trying to go to different games on different days.”

A former Don Boscos coach, Kevin admits there’s a big difference between life as a Foyle Cup coach and Foyle Cup parent.

“It’s just being able to enjoy the game more, being more relaxed and being able to just take in the games without having to worry about the result or any expectations or managing the kids,” he said. “I only have to manage two whereas I had to manage the squad before. It's definitely more enjoyable as a parent.”

The difference in perspective is also contrasting Kevin finds, with one son having different ambitions than the other.

“Kian, being older, is obviously more aware of the winning aspect, and obviously wants to do better,” he explained. “Noah being younger, they just want to win anyway, no matter what they're playing, but there isn't really as much importance put on a trophy. They just want to win the game. They could play 6 games. they could lose the first 5 and still think they’re the champions.”

“My two boys definitely have more opportunities for playing football and being involved in the sport and being involved in these tournaments than I ever had. I wish I had the opportunity. But I’m enjoying it now and I’m watching them enjoying it.”

The Foyle Cup does offer something different to local leagues, and Kevin believes that can encourage young players to play with more freedom throughout a jam-packed week of football.

“It's different,” he agreed. “You play against boys you know and there's a bit of rivalry there. But there's a nervousness because the boys will be slagging each other when they meet them in school. Sometimes when you play against teams you don't know you play with, you play with a wee bit less fear and you’re able to express themselves a bit more.

“You play your best because you don't know who they are so you have to go out and play. But the other aspect, with boys like Cian and boys who are older, you have to go out and quickly suss out the team, who the best players are, who the weaker players are and who to target. There’s a bit more to it, but they enjoy it all the same.”