Schoolgirl Niamh takes star role as university’s roving reporter at the O’Neills Foyle Cup

Football mascots were out as thousands of players, their families and spectators met at the iconic Martha Magee building Ulster University’s Derry/Londonderry campus to begin the O’Neills Foyle Cup parade to Guildhall Square.

Schoolgirl Niamh was Ulster University’s roving reporter for the day and charmed viewers with her interviews in the crowd, as some of the youth soccer tournament’s 13,000 players made their way to the tournament.

The atmosphere soared as drummers accompanied the parade to the ground and the campus was awash with colour from all the team kits from across the globe, representing the reach that the tournament brings to the region.

See Niamh’s video here

As many as 740 teams competed in almost 3,000 matches in O’Neills Foyle Cup this year. Now one of Europe’s premier youth tournaments, Foyle Cup has been running since 1992 as a showcase of Northern Ireland’s sporting abilities.

The university also sponsored the U17 and U19 categories this year, underpinning the range of activities and support they are offering to local grassroots clubs in the region.

Dr Nigel Dobson, Head of Sports Services at Ulster University, said: “This is the first year that the parade has opened the tournament and there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation for what the week ahead would bring.

“Grassroots sport is vital for the health and wellbeing of our young people and we understand the value of tournaments such as this to give them an opportunity to showcase all their hard work and dedication to the sport.”

He added: “At Ulster University, we collaborate and engage with our local community and grassroot sports clubs through support initiatives including use of our sports facilities, summer camps and cross community tournaments.”

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