Salthill Devon’s Drom Soccer Park is set to host the battle of the best of underage soccer.
The leading winternational soccer tournament in Ireland for some of the world’s leading youngsters, the Umbro Galway Cup takes place at Drom Soccer Park, from August 5 to 8.
More than 50 teams from Ireland, Britain, Europe, the US, and Mexico are preparing for the challenge - among the competitors are two premiership teams Sunderland and Fulham, and leading Norwegian team Valerenga. They will compete in the u-15 elite group.
Sunderland has a long and proud history dating back to 1879 when they played as Sunderland and District Teachers’ Association. Fulham is the oldest of London’s first class clubs and its history began in 1879 with some Sunday-school boys knocking a ball around on a long-forgotten park pitch.
Other major teams competing in the elite group are Leicester City, who won the Elite Cup in 2008 with a 2-0 victory against the FAI in the final. They will face stiff competition from the likes of the 2007 winners Ipswich Town, Aberdeen, the 2006 winners, and Ireland’s FAI who claimed the crown in 2005.
Cherry Orchard and St Joseph’s Boys will represent the DDSL in the Elite Cup, the first time the Dublin District League has been represented at this level. Cherry Orchard were crowned champions of the u-14 DDSL premier division.
The Umbro Galway Cup event, now in its fifth year, is becoming a major contributor to the promotion of sports in Ireland. It is a member of the Umbro international tournament group that includes the Donosti Cup in San Sebastian in Spain and the Dana Cup in Denmark.
