This year’s Mary Peters Community Cup was “an outstanding success”, attracting hundreds of footballers of various abilities.
The annual event is one of Northern Ireland’s longest-running and most significant inclusive football tournaments and attracts dozens of teams from across the UK and Ireland each year.
A total of 65 teams competed for trophies across four ability bands at the two-day tournament. And this year’s entrants included three girls-only teams.
The 23rd edition of the competition was once again staged at its long-standing base, Billy Neill Playing Fields in Dundonald.
Visiting teams from outside Northern Ireland included English sides Southwest Inclusive from Plymouth, Newcastle United and Charlton Upbeats, while Guernsey Dynamics also took part in the festival of football.
Stephen Watson, Inclusive Football Development Officer with the Irish FA Foundation, said: “The Mary Peters Cup continues to grow year on year. It is fantastic to see such strong participation and the continued development of inclusive football across Northern Ireland. Congratulations to all of our winners and the teams who took part.”
The Band 1 trophy was won by Linfield Disability FC, while Belfast Celtic Inclusion FC were the overall winners of the Band 2 section.
And in a clean sweep for Northern Ireland-based teams the Band 3 trophy went to Lisburn 2gether Special Olympics FC and Band 4 was won by Belfast City Inclusion FC.
Previously known as the George Best Community Cup, the annual competition now carries Mary Peters’ name in recognition of the outstanding contribution and long-standing support of Lady Mary Peters for the competition.
Lady Mary has been a dedicated supporter of the tournament since its inception, championing its role in bringing communities together through football. The Irish FA Foundation, which organises the annual competition, said the re-naming of the trophy reflects her lasting impact and commitment.
Lady Mary, who attended the event and presented the medals, said this year’s tournament was an outstanding success. She also said it was a joy for her to have the competition named after her, adding that she loved to see the smiles on the players’ faces as they enjoyed taking part in the tournament.
The cup competition has also attracted a new principal sponsor in EE, ensuring that it continues to thrive and reach even more communities in the years ahead.
The 23rd edition of the event was also sponsored by the Mary Peters Trust, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council and PSNI. Uhlsport was the equipment partner and The Mad Hatter the catering partner. And PwC and Belfast Metropolitan College brought along an army of volunteers to help deliver the two-day event alongside Irish FA Foundation staff and Irish FA volunteers.
The Community Cup was established in 2003 and has grown to become one of the UK and Ireland’s leading inclusive football tournaments. What began as a mixed-format community initiative with a handful of teams has evolved into a dedicated inclusive football event aligned with the Irish FA Foundation’s long-term Football for All vision.
The Foundation says the event is a celebration of inclusive football, fair play and community.
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