Release Date: 12/02/2010

THE Valley Leisure Centre, Newtownabbey, played host to 28 girls’ football teams on who travelled from all corners of Northern Ireland to compete in the Dale Farm Junior Indoor Tournament.

The five-a-side tournament was broken down into three age-group categories with the under-10 fixtures based on each team simply participating and having fun.  The under-12 and under-14 categories were played competitively and provided many entertaining match-ups.

The under-12 category attracted eight teams who took part in a very tight competition.  In the semi-finals Lisburn Ladies battled their way past Crusaders to win 1-0, with Foyle Ladies putting four goals past Carnmoney without reply in the other game.

The final produced what was perhaps the game of the tournament with both sides having opportunities to win. Rachel McDade scored two goals for Foyle Ladies but it wasn’t enough as two goals from Chloe Brennan and one from Seana Smith saw Lisburn Ladies crowned under-12 champions.

The under-14 age group was just as exciting with 13 teams competing for the title of Dale Farm Junior Indoor Cup Champions.  After two tough group stages, Foyle Ladies and Lisburn Ladies B met in the first semi-final, and it was the girls from Foyle Ladies who won convincingly 6-0.  The other semi-final was the opposite with both Glentoran and Lisburn Ladies A failing to score in normal time, taking the game to a penalties.  In a tense shoot-out, Glentoran held their nerve to grab a place in the final.

The final again produced a lot of goals, but this time they were all for Foyle who won 4-0 with Rebecca Henry (2), Demi Lee and Catherine Ward to take Foyle’s goal tally for the tournament to 18 goals with only three conceded.

“It was fantastic to have such a positive response from the girls’ clubs in Northern Ireland to this Dale Farm tournament.  All the players and club officials thoroughly enjoyed the day and we would like to thank the Valley Leisure Centre for hosting the event.  Congratulations to Foyle Ladies and Lisburn Ladies on their success!” said Jackie Blyth, Irish FA Women’s Football Assistant.

For more information on women’s football in Northern Ireland contact jblyth@irishfa.com or call 02890 669458.

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