FOYLE CUP 2026: Opening day wins for Altrincham, Phoenix and Strabane

Altrincham 4, Newtowne Youths (Limavady) 1 Limavady’s Newtowne Youths took an opening lead in this U14 group match at St. Columb’s Park on Monday when Jamie O’Connor neatly tucked home after the Altrincham keeper fumbled a cross from the left.

However, it wasn’t long before the sides were level. Luke Whittaker broke free on the right and shot past the advancing keeper.

Foyle Cup action from the Altrincham v. Newtowne Youths (Limavady) u-14 section game at St. Columb's Park on Monday afternoon.. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

placeholder image — Foyle Cup action from the Altrincham v. Newtowne Youths (Limavady) u-14 section game at St. Columb's Park on Monday afternoon.. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Altrincham then went ahead midway through the half when the Limavady keeper pulled down star striker McKenzie. The big striker blasted home the penalty to open his Foyle Cup tally for 2026.

The second half was only minutes old when a long free kick from the left bounced between keeper and striker, and McKenzie’s header secured his second goal of the game to make it 3-1. His hat-trick was completed in the dying minutes when the forward broke free on the right, beat the full-back and fired his shot low past the helpless keeper to give the English side full points in their opening fixture.

Foyle Cup goalmouth action from the Phoenix Swifts v. Ballynagard FC u-16 section game at Templemore Swilly on Monday evening.. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Phoenix Athletic easily see off Ballynagard

Phoenix Athletic proved too strong for fellow Derry side, Ballynagard at Templemore in Monday’s U16 Foyle Cup group game.

The deadlock was broken early when Kiefer Canning tapped home a low cross from the right, a lead that weas doubled minutes later when Luke Kelly’s shot from 15 yards beat the keeper.

Two further goals from ‘Player of the Match’ Darren McBride, the first of which saw him win poossession 25 yard out, beat the advancing centre back to the ball and curl his shot into the top left-hand corner.

Foyle Cup action from the Culmore Youths v. Donegal Town u-14 section game at St. Columb's Park on Monday afternoon.. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

The game was all but over as a contest by half time. Three more goals followed in the second half to see the Rosemount side easy post three points in their group but admiration must go to the young Ballynagard team who battled to the end and were deprived of a late consolation goal by an excellent save from the Phoenix goalkeeper.

Strabane U9s too strong for Oxford at St. Joseph’s

Strabane 4, Oxford United 1

The opening match at St. Joseph’s Boys’ School on Monday saw Strabane FC out of the blocks immediately with an early opening goal from centre forward Max McCormack, a superb overhead kick that gave the Oxford netminder no chance.

Foyle Cup action from the Strabane v. Oxford United u-9 clash at St. Joseph's Boys School on Monday morning. (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Further first half goals by Rossa McCay, Shea Molloy and Oisin McColgan put them 4-0 in front but a late first period goal from Oxford’s Cathal Duffy kept his side in the match; Duffy beating his marker before slotting past the advancing keeper to make the half time score 4-1.

The second half saw plenty of goalmouth action with the Derry side ringing the changes and despite coming close on a number of occasions it was the Oxford keeper Levi Sole who was the busiest.

An excellent performance by the County Tyrone side with Ashton Logue and Oisin McColgan standing out from the pack. This team will look to go a long way in this year’s competition and could carry silverware back to Strabane.