Galway Cup Explained

The Galway Cup is an association football National Youth Tournament held annually in Galway, Ireland. The tournament takes place in Salthill Devon F.C.'s Drom Soccer Park venue.

History

The competition began in the summer of 2005 in a bid to bring the international football scene to Ireland. Over 40 teams representing seven nations participated in the inaugural tournament. Academy teams of such football clubs as Celtic F.C., Preston North End F.C., Shelbourne F.C., Fulham F.C., Sheffield United F.C., Newcastle United F.C., Leeds United F.C., Aberdeen F.C., Leicester City F.C., Ipswich Town F.C., Derry City F.C., Glentoran F.C., Belvedere, MŠK Žilina, Cherry Orchard F.C. and also Football Association of Ireland youth selection have competed. The tournament includes age groups from Under-11 to Under-17 and there is a group for a girls' Under-15 tournament. Now the youth competition has gone from strength to strength and is recognized as one of the best youth tournaments in Europe. The tournament highlights are broadcast on Setanta Sports.

Past winners

2005

Name of CompetitionSponsorWinner
Under 16/17 CupHiggins Motorpark FordSalthill Devon
Elite Group Under 15 CupFinchesFootball Association of Ireland Youth Selection
Under 14 CupHibernianMervue United
Girls Under 14 CupSimon J Kelly ArchitectsBealnumalla
Under 13 CupAnglo Irish BankClare Select
Under 12 CupUlster BankGalway Town

2006

Name of CompetitionSponsorWinner
Under 17 CupHiggins Motorpark FordDerry City
Under 16 CupAnglo Irish BankRiada
Under 15 Standard CupSupermac'sUlster Schools
Under 15 Elite CupFinchesAberdeen
Under 15 Girls CupVodafone Western CellularLifford
Under 14 CupNexus HomeClare Select
Under 13 Club CupHibernianSalthill Devon
Under 13 District League CupHibernianGalway District League
Under 12 CupSawgrassSt Francis
Under 11 CupGalway Bay HotelBarna F.C.

2007

Name of CompetitionSponsorWinner
Under 17 CupHiggins Motorpark FordSalthill Devon U16's
Under 17 PlateTBD Group HoldingsLanghorne
Under 16 Girls CupIrish RailDrumahoe
Under 15 Elite CupFinchesIpswich Town
Under 15 CupSupermac'sTuam Celtic
Under 13 District League CupNexus HomesDunfield
Under 13 Club CupHibernianMerrion U.C.D.

2008

Name of CompetitionSponsorWinner
Under 17 CupHiggins Motorpark FordSalthill Devon
Under 17 Girls CupAnglo Irish BankSalthill Devon
Under 15 Elite CupFinchesLeicester City
Under 15 Club CupNexus HomesNewhill
Under 14 District CupSupermac'sSalthill Devon
Under 13 Academy CupSmythsDonegal Schools
Under 13 Club CupIrish RailWest Waterford/East Cork

2009

Name of CompetitionSponsorWinner
Under 17 CupThe Ardilaun HotelBelvedere
Under 17 Girls CupFinchesNorthern Ireland
Under 15 Elite CupLifestyle SportsLeicester City
Under 15 Club CupSupermac'sFoyle Harps
Under 13 Academy CupDiscover IrelandSports Clinic
Under 13 Club CupSmythsGalway District League

2010

Name of CompetitionSponsorWinner
Under 17 CupThe Ardilaun HotelMervue United
Under 17 Girls CupFinchesCork Schoolgirls
Under 15 Elite CupLifestyle SportsAberdeen
Under 15 Club CupSupermac'sWexford District League
Under 13 Elite CupFáilte IrelandGalway District League
Under 13 Club CupSmythsAthlone District League

External links