With the 2026 O’Neills Foyle Cup, Aaron McEneff has a simple message for every young player preparing to take part – go and enjoy it.
The Glentoran midfielder knows exactly what the tournament means to aspiring footballers across the North West.
Long before playing professionally in Ireland, Scotland and England, McEneff was one of thousands of young players dreaming of making their mark at the Foyle Cup.
Now, as the tournament prepares for its biggest year ever, he has encouraged participants to embrace every moment of an experience that helped shape his own football journey.
“I first played in the Foyle Cup when I was Under-11 and we played all our games out at the Vale Centre,” recalled McEneff.
“I also played at Under-12s, Under-14s and Under-16s and those memories stay with you for the rest of your life, to be honest.
“There was always great excitement around the Derry & District trials and then getting selected and playing in the tournament itself.
“There are always big crowds coming to watch the games and it was exciting playing in front of your family and friends.
“We played against some really top teams as well which created amazing memories.
“When I was in the Under-12s, I think Hearts put us out in the semi-finals and then we played Werder Bremen in the third/fourth place play-off.
“In the Under-14s, I remember coming up against the likes of Motherwell and Montpellier, while Celtic, Hull City and Sheffield United would always have brought strong teams as well.
“There were always good academy sides coming over to the tournament and, as a young boy from Derry, you’re always wanting to test yourself against those types of teams and see where you’re at. It gives you something to look towards and pushes you on to become a footballer.”
This summer’s tournament will make history as a record 1,013 teams compete across six days of football, making it the largest O’Neills Foyle Cup ever staged and one of the biggest youth football tournaments anywhere in Europe.
The milestone represents another remarkable chapter in the competition’s growth since its inception in 1992, when just eight teams participated in a one-day event.
For McEneff, however, the tournament’s true value lies not in the numbers but in the memories created on and off the pitch.
“For the young players taking part this year, I would say go and enjoy it,” he said.
“You have to enjoy your football at that age. You work hard, go to training and work hard in your games, but you really have to enjoy it because you’re playing with your mates and there’s no pressure on you.
“Play with a smile on your face because, as you move up through the age groups and into senior football, the game becomes more serious and that enjoyment can sometimes be lost.
“At this age, whether you’re from Derry or travelling to the tournament from somewhere else, go and enjoy your football and enjoy the week because, speaking from experience, the memories really do last a lifetime.”
McEneff also paid tribute to the organisers, volunteers and clubs who have helped transform the tournament into a globally recognised event over the past three decades.
“I honestly don’t know how they keep track of everything, but it just shows how far the tournament has come since it began,” he said.
“It’s amazing to see so many teams wanting to be part of it.
“It goes to show all the hard work and effort people have put into growing the tournament and all the organisation that goes into getting fixtures organised and pitches ready.
“It’s not just about the football though. It’s about bringing people into Derry too. There’s a great buzz about the place during Foyle Cup week.
“It brings people together from all over the world. Whether it’s young players taking part or families and supporters coming to watch the games, there’s always a fantastic atmosphere.
“It’s brilliant for the city as well because it gives people the chance to see what Derry and the wider North West have to offer. It’s a fantastic event all round.”
The 2026 O’Neills Foyle Cup will take place from Monday 20th to Saturday 25th July and is expected to welcome more than 20,000 players, coaches and officials to the North West.
A record 1,013 teams from across Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America will compete across boys’, girls’ and disability categories from Under-8 to Under-19 level, with 3,942 matches scheduled across more than 60 venues throughout Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Limavady, Claudy, Greysteel, Coleraine, Dungiven, Castledawson, Inishowen and Donegal.
Crowds in excess of 200,000 spectators are expected during tournament week, delivering a significant boost to the regional economy through tourism, hospitality, retail and visitor spending.
The 2026 O’Neills Foyle Cup is supported by a valued network of partners and sponsors including Derry City & Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, O’Neills Sportswear, Derry Credit Union, Apex Housing, Ark Housing Association, Choice Housing, Radius Housing, Seagate, Inner City Trust, Brunswick Moviebowl, Ulster University and North West Regional College.
For more information on the O’Neills Foyle Cup visit www.foylecup.com.