Derry’s Brooke Park is set to host to the inaugural Gavin Harkin Memorial Cup

Derry’s Brooke Park is set to play host to the inaugural Gavin Harkin Memorial Cup. 

Kickoff for the first quarterfinal is at 6:30pm on Monday, August 5, before the second follows shortly after at 7:30pm. 

Tuesday will see the following two quarter-finals take place, with the semi-finals on Thursday at the same times as Monday and the final set for Saturday at 3pm.

Eight teams will fight it out in the nine-a-side competition to lift the cup and prize fund of £1,000, including Foyle Harps, Rosemount, Phoenix, and Trojans. 

Gavin Harkin passed away last year on July 30, at the age of 51, and his omission from the community is being sorely felt, according to Mark Nixon, an organiser of the cup and close friend. 

He said: “Gavin went to the meetings, any for Derry and District or Saturday Morning League he did for Rosemount.

“For years, he was integral to looking after the rig and kits. 

“In and around the community and Brooke Park itself, he meant a lot. He was a member of the Brooke Park Forum, and he was involved in the meetings for the youth side of Phoenix too. Not to mention sitting on the committee in the Resource Centre.”

Rosemount were incredibly successful this season, as the club claimed five titles between the league and cup competitions. 

Mr. Nixon pointed to the foundations laid by Gavin as pivotal to this glory. 

He said: “The boys have been saying, ‘It is all for Gav’.

“At one stage, Rosemount were on the precipice of folding a few years ago, and he and another fella, Gerard, fought to ensure that didn’t happen. Since then, Rosemount have gone from strength to strength.

“We won the league and cups. Last week we won the ‘Bronco’ Cup, and last Saturday we won the Sunday Morning Cup.”

A large crowd is expected throughout the competition from the organisers due to the importance Gavin had within the Rosemount area. 

With brother Michael flying in from America and lifelong friend Gregory Curran expected to be in attendance. 

The organisers are encouraging anyone who wishes to watch a week full of entertaining, high-octane football in the memory of a beloved pillar of Rosemount football club to come out and show their support. 

The winners of the competition are expected to be presented with the inaugural trophy by the family of Gavin Harkin.