DONEGAL teams are well in contention for big honours at the 2015 Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup.
A host of sides from the county have advanced to the knockout stages of the Cup competitions in the various age group.
Kevin McHugh’s Donegal Schoolboys Under-13 side (pictured above) continue to blaze all before them.
The National Cup winners have real designs on adding the Foyle Cup to their list of honours and an 11-0 hammering of Strathroy Harps fired them into a semi-final against Derry Colts.
McKinley (2), Dorrian (2), Woods (2), McDaid (2), Dowling, Tobin and McCafferty hit the goals for the Donegal boys.
The Eloka Asokhu-managed Donegal Under-15s are also in the hunt for the big title in their grade. A 0-0 draw with Norwich City followed wins over Oliver Plunketts and Glenavon in the first two games and it all means a semi-final against Maiden City Academy.
The Donegal Under-14s, who are managed by Peter McHugh, had a comprehensive 6-0 win over Ardstraw and a win over Ballymoor on Thursday would seal advancement for them, too.
Finn Harps Under-19s progressed to the Cup quarter-finals as the best runners up. Joe Boyle’s team had wins over Willowband and Old Park Reds, but a 3-1 defeat by Institute meant the Harps had to settle for second place – and they face into a daunting task against in-form Motherwell in the semi-finals.
Kildrum Tigers (pictured below) are into the semi-finals of the Under-17 compeition after a fine 3-2 win over Culmore.
Duncan Patterson’s half volley fired the St Johnston side ahead and a Patterson penalty made it 2-1 after the Derry outfit leveled. Kildrum extended the advantage when Thomas Cole rounded two players and netted a stunning strike from 30 yards.
A late injury time goal for Culmore couldn’t deny Kildrum, who had superb displays from Cole and outstanding left-back Shaun Crossan.
The Tigers are playing without boxing star Brett McGinty and injured ace striker Ciaran Deeney.
“It’s great to be through to the semi-finals. The boys have played brilliantly all week and I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to give us support in the semi-final,” manager Jonny McGinty said.
They meet Hollingbury Hawks from Brighton in the semi-final at the Brandywell Showgrounds at 7pm.
In the Under-12 Cup quarter-finals, East Donegal take on Waterford Schoolboys, with Donegal Schoolboys up against Letterkenny Rovers and the Inishowen League face Peamount.
The South Donegal Schoolboys league face Coleraine in a Cup quarter-final while Cappry Rovers face Glentoran. A Ciaran O’Connor goal gave Kildrum’s Under-11s a 1-0 win over Strabane and the St Johnston boys are now in the Plate competition, as are the Inishowen Youth League.
Letterkenny Rovers Under-10s have a Cup clash with Bertie Peacock’s.
In the Under-9 division, Kimac Academy topped Group D on goal difference from Eglinton Eagles, but lost 4-0 to Oxford in the quarter-final phase.
Inishowen’s Under-16s defeated Trojans and are in a promising position ahead of their final group game against Ballycastle, while the Inishowen Under-15s topped the pile to reach a Cup semi-final with Limavady thanks to a 2-0 success against Crusaders and Inishowen’s Under-12s will meet Peamount in the Cup quarter-final after they defeated Oxford 2-1.
Inishowen’s Under-13 girls are also on the glory trail and they play Sion Swifts in the Cup semi-final.
