Drom Soccer Park is gearing up once again to host to the prestigious underage Umbro Galway Cup.
Now in its seventh year, this competition, which takes place from August 3 to 6, boasts 49 teams from five countries, playing 125 games involving some of the brightest rising young soccer stars.
Some of the top teams from Britain and Ireland will once again be in action between August 3 to 6. FAI’s Emerging Talent, together with Glasgow Celtic and Aberdeen, are among the teams competing. Many players who have been with the FAI’s Emerging Talent squad in earlier years have gone on to be signed by teams in Britain - most recently former Salthill Devon player Joe Shaughnessy, who played in the 2006 and 2007 editions of the tournament and who plays with Aberdeen.
“Since its inception back in 2005, the tournament has become a major recruiting opportunity for the FAI who see the event as an ideal opportunity to spot talented young players who have the potential to play for Ireland at underage level and hopefully at senior level,” says tournament director Denis Burke. “ The fact that players like Joe Shaughnessy, Greg Cunningham and Stevie Folan have all made careers for themselves just goes to show how a tournament like this can help launch the careers of talented young players and can make such a difference to the lives of young players with a dream.”
This year the elite category will be sponsored by Kinect for Xbox 360.
The Umbro Galway Cup is not only regarded as a significant contributor to the promotion of sports in Ireland, but also to Galway city. Organisers estimate the tournament is worth €2.2 million to the local economy.
For more information on the Umbro Galway Cup, and for a full list of teams competing at the 2011 event, visit www.galwaycup.com or contact Denis Burke 087-7442877.
