More than 500 games were played at this year’s George Best Community Cup.
A total of 73 teams from throughout the UK and Ireland took part in the 2025 edition of the annual five-a-side tournament for disability teams - and more than 500 players aged 15 and over took part in the matches.
Run by the Irish FA Foundation and sponsored by the Mary Peters Trust, with support from Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, it was staged across 15 pitches at the Billy Neill Centre in Dundonald.
Matches at the two-day disability football festival, which began in 2003 with just six teams, were played across four ability bands.
Visiting teams included Newcastle United, Charlton Athletic, Sutton United and Shelbourne.
Staff from the Irish FA Foundation alongside a small army of volunteers organised the matches at the Dundonald venue.
English club Southwest Inclusive, who feature players from Cornwall, Devon and Somerset, won the Ability 1 title for the third year in a row, and Southwest’s Amy Carpenter was named player of the tournament in that category. Belfast teams Linfield A and St James’ A finished runners-up and third respectively.
In the Ability 2 section Linfield B won the overall title, with Linfield B’s Gary McIlwaine named player of the tournament in that category. Belfast side CSP A were runners-up, while Ards A were third.
South London team Sutton United (main image) were victorious in the Ability 3 section, with Sutton player Paul Young lifting the POTT award. CSP B finished second ahead of another Belfast side, Glentoran C.
St James’ D topped the Ability 4 section, while Guernsey were the runners-up. Republic of Ireland team Prosper Fingal A took the bronze medal. And the POTT award went to Darragh Docreal from Dublin team Shelbourne.
A special award was also presented to Ballymena United player Jacob Fullerton for showing great values during the tournament, including sportsmanship, friendship and plenty of effort on the pitch.
“There was sunshine, fun, smiling faces and enjoyment. It was a great experience for everyone involved. The George Best Community Cup is an important event for many in disability football across the UK and Ireland and long may it continue,” said Alan Crooks, Disability Football Development Manager at the Irish FA Foundation and chief organiser of the tournament.
Images from George Best Cup
