Magherafelt Sky Blues make their mark on Foyle Cup

It was quite the Foyle Cup for Magherafelt Sky Blues in 2025, with 15 teams representing the club across several different categories on arguably the most exciting week of the football calendar locally.

Over seven days, in different locations throughout Derry City and beyond, 950 teams participated in the biggest ever Foyle Cup, with over 3,600 games played over the course of the tournament.

The young Magherafelt players watch on during the penalty shoot-out.

The Sky Blues were well represented throughout with their U11 Girls team putting on a five-star performance against Ilistrin, winning 5-2 to secure third place overall in a category which consisted of 34 teams.

The young Magherafelt team went through a tough group of Crusader Knights, Aileach FC, Cockhill Celtic and Tristar Jets undefeated, before they began the knockout stages in style, defeating Lisnaskea Rovers 5-0 to progress to the semifinals. There, they met Eglinton Eagles and both teams were well-matched, with normal time unable to produce a winner and the game having to be decided on a penalty shoot-out, with the Eagles going through to the final.

The Magherafelt Sky Blues Colts under-9's pictured at Waterside Shared Village. (Photo: Keith Moore)

The U11 boys team came even closer to getting their hands on some silverware, as they made it all the way to Friday's Final at Bishop's Field, where they just lost out 1-0 to Ballinamallard. It was a tough way to end what was otherwise a fantastic and memorable week for the U11s, who can hold their heads high and reflect on what was truly a superb achievement to finish in second place in a category which featured an unbelievable 113 other teams.

The talented Sky Blues came through a six-team group with a 100% record, scoring 19 goals and conceding just 19 goals in the process. They defeated Lisdrum Youth, Glenavon FC, Surf Select, Strabane Athletic and Redcastle United to cruise into the knockout stages.

The Magherafelt Sky Blues under-9's pictured at Waterside Shared Village. (Photo: Keith Moore)

There, the competition got even tougher and more intense, but the Sky Blues dug deep, defeating Rosario 2-0 and Letterkenny Rovers 4-1 before they dominated Ballinamallard Colts 5-0 to earn their place in the final. While they just fell short of winning the whole tournament, there was no doubt that a fantastic week created memories for every single player and their families.

Steven O'Neill, U11 coach, insisted that everyone was proud of the team's achievements.

The Magherafelt Sky Blues team which met Ballinamallard United in the O'Neills Foyle Cup Under-11's Cup final at the Bishop's Field. (Photo: Keith Moore)

"The boys have been super all week, and we are really, really proud of them," he said. "It was just unfortunate that we couldn't get over the line at the end, but we couldn't be any happier with them. They had a seriously tough group, a seriously tough group, but they won all them and they had a very, very hard route to the final, so we're all very proud of them."

Foyle Cup week is relentless, especially for those teams who progress to the latter stages, but the experience is worth its weight in gold for players who will be desperate to return next year.

Don Boscos U8s v Magherafelt Sky Blues Foyle Cup action at the Shared Village Centre. (Photo - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

"We were familiar with some of the teams, especially Ballinamallard because we played them there last year as well," Steven reflected. "It's a great tournament and the boys love it and they had a great week. The club overall had 15 teams, boys and girls, up here this year.

"The club is huge now and hopefully it keeps growing and hopefully next year we can come back and get our hands on the trophy. Here's hoping."

Magherafelt SB Jets under-11's player Joe Forrest on the ball during their match against Maiden City Colts.

In the U9 category of the Foyle Cup, there was disappointment but great pride also for the Magherafelt Sky Blues, who went all the way to the final before just losing out to Dungannon United.

Winning four and drawing one of five group games, and scoring 20 goals on their way, the Sky Blues emerged as group winners, which meant they faced their own club mates, Sky Blues Athletic in the first knock-out round, winning 4-1 to set up a meeting with Oxford United.

Another four-goal showing meant that they were in the semi-finals where they met their toughest opponent to that point. A 1-1 draw meant that the game went to penalties, and it was the Sky Blues who held their nerve to go through to the final.

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Ultimately, they fell one step short of bringing the trophy home, losing 3-0 to Dungannon, but to finish in second place overall out of 96 teams speaks volumes about the quality, commitment and belief of a young squad which will only get better from the experience.

Those characteristics also extended to the Sky Blues Blades, who finished in sixth place overall at the end of a brilliant week for all the girls involved.