North West Charity Cup nets €10,000 as girls’ soccer takes centre stage

The inaugural North West Charity Cup has been hailed a major success after raising more than €10,000 for charity while showcasing the growing strength of girls’ soccer across the region.

Organised by members of Cockhill Celtic, the 12-team, all-girls tournament was held recently on the pitches at Ulster University Magee, and brought together clubs from the Inishowen and Donegal leagues, Derry and Tyrone in a cross-border, cross-community celebration of the women’s game.

Around 200 young players took part in the end-of-November event, which was staged in Derry after organisers were unable to secure pitches in Inishowen due to the time of year. Support from Derry club Tristar helped ensure the Magee venue was secured to host the competition.

The line-up included four Inishowen clubs alongside teams from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone, underlining the tournament’s ambition to promote girls’ soccer across the wider north west. Local role models also lent their support, with Jodie and Keri Loughrey (both of Linfield) in attendance at the launch, along with Emma Doherty of Galway United and Cliftonville’s Naomi McLaughlin.

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Fundraising was central to the event, with a raffle and draw held at Cockhill and players encouraged to seek local sponsorship. More than €10,000 has been raised, with proceeds going to the Society of St Vincent de Paul in the Buncrana parish and to Hope Mission Zambia, which works to rescue street children.

While the organising committee was drawn from Cockhill Celtic members, the running of the tournament itself was a broader community effort. Volunteers from Buncrana Hearts and Carndonagh joined forces with the Cockhill organisers on the day to ensure the event ran smoothly.

The tournament also attracted civic support, with Derry’s deputy lord mayor Niree McMorris among those in attendance.

Looking ahead, organisers are already planning a significant expansion in 2026.

“It was a really good event, and we want to bring it to Inishowen next year with 24 teams,” organiser Brian Murray said. “It’s an all girls tournament, and we hope to alternate between Derry and the Buncrana area.

“We’d hope to use pitches at Cockhill, Buncrana, Carndonagh and Aileach for the league games, with the finals to be hosted at Maginn Park on the Sunday.”

Murray, who has also been involved as a coach with the Inishowen boys soccer academy, said the ambition is to build a sustainable annual tournament that continues to grow participation and visibility for girls’ soccer.

Clubs involved this year were Aileach, Buncrana Hearts, Carndonagh and Cockhill Celtic from Inishowen; Kildrum Tigers and Raphoe Town from Donegal; Eglinton Eagles, Tristar, Top of the Hill, Phoenix Flames and Newbuildings from Derry; and Sion Swifts from Tyrone.

On the pitch, Eglinton Eagles lifted the cup, but organisers were unanimous that the real winner was girls’ football itself.

A cheque presentation for the funds raised will take place on Thursday night at Cockhill, with proceedings getting under way at 7.30pm.