Five-a-side teams consisting of local junior players were out in force to contest the eagerly awaited annual tournament. The standard of play seems to improve every year, as does the desire to take home a winners medal.
As always the competition was fiercely competitive between the 32 sides involved and a number teams staked their claim early on to be eventual winners, with teams such as City Colts and Wellington Celtic performing admirably to make the semi finals.
Of course only one team could lift the trophy and Vale Gaels were finally crowned 2008 champions after a long, hard fought competition which included a few extremely entertaining and exhilarating matches.
The Gaels went on to beat a strong Mexico All-stars team in convincing fashion which saw them win 5-2. Other awards went to Paul Doherty for player of the tournament; Shaun Cassidy, Jim O'Reilly and Steven Coyle for joint top scorer and City Colts for fair play, with both trophies sponsored by the Foyle Cup.
Many thanks must go to the main sponsors on the day Braidwater Ltd., as well as organisations such as Babington and Croasdaile, First Trust Bank, Bob Mullan Motors, McMenamin Plant Hire, Hamilton Architects, Feeney Electrical, PFS and Partners, Autobar and C&C drinks who also sponsored the event.
The Vale Centre would like to thank all those who helped organise the day especially Derry City coach Declan Devine and all the red shirts who worked hard throughout the tournament.
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