The O’Neills Foyle Cup has not only played a key role in the careers of a number of high-profile football stars down the years, but it has also helped provide a pathway to the top for another important aspect of the game – the referees.
The demand for match officials has increased again this year with over 1,000 teams set to take part in the tournament.
Former Irish League match official Ken Lowry is the man responsible for making sure every game is covered across the north west region in his role as Head of Refereeing, and he is delighted to see so many young refs start their journey in the game at the Foyle Cup following in the path of the likes of Jamie Robinson, Tim Marshall and David Sommers.
“We’ve had quite a number of referees who started off their careers in the game with us many years ago before going on to referee at the very top of the game,” said Ken.
“Jamie and Tim are obviously very well known in local circles having referee in the Irish League, but they have also officiated on the European stage.
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“David came over to us from Scotland and he has refereed in the Premiership there. We also had Arnold Hunter and Declan Hassan involved with us, who are again very well-known from the Irish League.
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“This year we have a number of younger refs involved who will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of these guys.
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“Young Brooklyn McElroy is one to watch having been involved with the Foyle Cup for a while now last season he refereed the IFA Youth Cup final and looks set to go on to great things.
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“So, like the players, referees need a pathway too and we’re delighted to be able to give them the platform to go and get experience and progress as a match official.
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“It gives me great pride personally to have played a small part in these referees as they make a name for themselves in the game both locally and beyond.”
It has been a busy few months for Ken as he pieces together the ‘jigsaw’ making sure every one of the 4,000 games is covered during the week as well as making sure the officials are looked after.
“It has been a busy few months making sure we have all the officials we need for the tournament as well as making sure they have their accommodation and transport looked after as well,” said the Limavady man.
“With so many games to cover across the north west it really is like a jigsaw puzzle and thankfully everything is slotting into place ahead of the big kick-off.
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“I have a great team of people helping me including the likes of Jonny McCrudden, who has been a regular attender as a referee and this year joins us as a ref match coordinator.
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“We have 40 referees coming in from all over the world who will be staying at the Magee Campus for the tournament week.
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“They are coming in from the likes of England, Scotland, the Isle of Man and the Netherlands, but the biggest contingent is coming from America, which is fantastic.
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“We had an exchange programme where some of our refs went out to the States earlier this year and had a brilliant time and now their officials are coming over here.
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“We also have a number of referees coming up from the Republic of Ireland including senior FAI ref Mark Lynch, who is bringing his son with him as well and he will be doing some of the mini soccer games.
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“There’s a real camaraderie amongst the officials and they like spending time together and enjoying the city as well as refereeing the games.”
That sense of togetherness is key for Ken, who has been involved with the Foyle Cup since the very outset back in 1992.
“The tournament may have grown massively since that very first competition with eight teams back in ’92 but it hasn’t lost that family feel,” he said.
“I think that’s one of the main reasons why people keep returning, both officials and clubs, as they feel the warmth and the welcome from the organisers and everyone involved as well as the people from the city and surrounding areas.
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“I’m very proud to still be involved in the Foyle Cup from starting as a referee through to my current role.
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“The days are long but there’s great satisfaction at playing a small part in helping these young kids take part in this fantastic tournament.
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“It’s great to look back and see all these young people who have played at the Foyle Cup down the years or who have been part of the refereeing set-up and have gone on to big things and feel you have played a small part in that.”
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 six days at 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