Ardmore are aiming to become only the second team from Northern Ireland to win the all-Ireland Presidents' Cup tomorrow.
The Presidents' Cup brings together the Irish FA Junior Cup winners and their Football Association of Ireland counterparts for the right to be crowned all-Ireland champions.
This year’s decider is being staged tomorrow at The Showgrounds in Sligo (2pm) and will see Ardmore FC from Derry-Londonderry take on Fairview Rangers AFC from Co Limerick.
Ardmore, who play in the North-West Junior League, made history earlier this year by winning the fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup for the first time.
The Derry side and Enniskillen Town United could not be separated after 90-plus minutes and 20 minutes of extra time. Both teams scored in extra time to make it 3-3.
But Ardmore secured the trophy at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park by holding their nerve to win the penalty shootout 5-4.
And they will now be aiming to make more history in Sligo by lifting the Presidents’ Cup for the first time.
Last year Enniskillen Rangers became the first team from Northern Ireland to win the all-Ireland trophy when they defeated Co Donegal outfit Cockhill Celtic in the final.
Fairview, 10 times winners of the FAI Junior Cup, will also be looking to make history tomorrow by becoming the first team to win the Presidents’ Cup twice.
There has been a different winner of the cross-border cup competition every year since it was founded in 2018. North End United (Co Wexford), St Michael’s (Co Tipperary), Fairview Rangers (Co Limerick), Villa FC (Co Waterford), Newmarket Celtic (Co Clare) and Enniskillen Rangers (Co Fermanagh) have all got to lift the story so far.
Limerick-based Fairview got to experience that high in 2021 and will be hoping to taste glory again in Sligo.
Image: Ardmore will be hoping for more cup success tomorrow in the all-Ireland Presidents' Cup after lifting the fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup back in April.
