Aug 7 Under 12 Foyle Cup review
Coach Lar Mahony has put together a comprehensive review of the recent Foyle Cup campaign enjoyed by Town's impressive U12 team.  While the team may be dominant in WDSL action this was their biggest test thus far as a developing squad and a fabulous week's football in Derry and district was enjoyed by all.

TUESDAY JULY 20
ARKLOW TOWN 4 BALLYMONEY SELECT 1

We couldn’t have asked for a better start! Straight from the first whistle, we attacked Ballymoney aggressively, and played some excellent football. Darragh Fitzgerald and Mikey Quigley were dominating the midfield, Jack Somers and Tom Maher were letting nothing past them in the centre of defence and Conor Byrne and Ross Hanley were causing the opposition defence all sorts of problems up front. On the flanks, Liam Scales and Morgan Harris were getting in plenty of crosses, with full-backs Jack Darcy and Stewart Mills giving them great support. Goalkeeper Cathal Kelleher had very little to do in the opening part of the game, but very competently swept up any through balls played past his defence.  By the 19th minute, we had moved into a 3-0 lead. The honour of scoring our first Foyle Cup goal went to Conor Byrne, who latched onto a clever through pass to rifle a shot past the Ballymoney keeper and captain, who, up to then, had kept out several shots and looked a very good prospect. Mikey Quigley followed with a very cool penalty kick, before Liam Scales scored the best goal of the game with a side-foot finish to an excellent passing move that started right from the back. Just before the half-time break, though, we were punished for some defensive slackness, when a long, high free kick into our box found a free Ballymoney player, who did well to find the far corner of the net. 3-1 at the half.  That goal didn’t break our rhythm and the second half followed the pattern of the first. We had a huge amount of possession and created some good chances. Thomas Rowan, Calem Devereaux and Gary Fennell came on as substitutes and easily slipped into their roles, and it was Calem who bagged our fourth and last goal with a rocket to the top corner from the edge of the box. A great performance and a great start to our Foyle Cup campaign.

WEDNESDAY JULY 21
ARKLOW TOWN 0 SHANKILL YOUTH CLUB 2

After yesterday’s high, came the low point of the week. Stung by a heavy defeat in their opening match, the Belfast boys set about their task with fantastic enthusiasm, whereas our lads, for some unknown reason, were unusually flat and never got to the pace of the game. Despite the fact that we had early chances to score, it came as no surprise when Shankill took the lead and then doubled it soon after; lethargic Arklow defending the cause of both goals. 2-0 at half time.  Despite a reshuffle at the break, our performance in the second half showed little, if any, improvement and the game petered out, without us ever looking like staging a recovery.  Despite such a negative performance and result, we managed to take some positives from the day; the squad was boosted by the return from injury of Cian Doyle and the arrival from Arklow of Conor Dodd, who had been ill earlier in the week. Both played half the game.

THURSDAY JULY 22
ARKLOW TOWN 1 DUNGANNON 1

After the poorest performance of the week came what was, without a doubt, the best performance of the week. After a brilliant warm-up conducted by the Youth Team Captain, James Scallan, the winners of last season’s Northern Ireland U11 National Cup didn’t know what hit them! The boys set about them with Youth Team-style intensity, denying every Dungannon player any time to get on the ball and play. From the start of the game to the last minute, the Northern Ireland champions could find no rhythm, thanks to the high-energy play of the Arklow boys. We, on the other hand, found our rhythm improve with each attacking move.  Disaster struck, though, in the 21st minute and it was our usual achilles heel that gave Dungannon a lead that was totally against the run of play; indecisive defending. An aimless ball was played over the top of our defence, our boys got themselves into a tangle that gifted the centre-forward the ball right in front of our goal, and he gratefully thumped it into the back of the net. Their players and coaches could hardly believe they had the lead, but if they thought that the goal would settle them, they thought wrong!  It was a real test for our boys, especially after yesterday’s poor display. Would we fold now, or could we maintain the high levels of competitiveness and skill? We certainly didn’t fold and were rewarded just before half-time, when Ross Hanley exquisitely lobbed the ball over the Dungannon goalkeeper, after a spell of unrelenting Arklow pressure. 1-1 at the break.  If the coaches, parents and spectators thought we played well in the first half, they were in for a treat in the second.  With Dungannon heads dropping and legs tiring, Arklow Town completely dominated the half, maintaining possession and creating lots of crossing and shooting opportunities. Cathal Kelleher was almost a spectator in our goal, but we still couldn’t force the ball over the line. We attacked constantly, until we won a penalty kick in the 41st minute.  Mikey Quigley bravely stepped up to take the kick, but squeezed it narrowly wide. We thought we had a reprieve, when the referee ordered a retake for encroachment by the Dungannon players, only to see him bizarrely overruled by a linesman.  We then saw something I’ve never seen in my forty years in football; the referee ordering the retake to be rolled back to the goalkeeper.  Despite the Laurel and Hardy act by the officials, we stayed on course and attacked right up to the final whistle, but couldn’t press home our advantage.  The players were shattered; we had played so well that the draw felt like a defeat.  They left the field to genuine applause from everyone in the ground, but what meant most to them was the support they got from the lads from the youth team. They had gone into the game with the intention of matching the performance of the previous night and had done just that.  No player could be picked out for special mention; every one played at the top of his game.  This was probably the team’s best ever performance.  Back at the pavilion, lots of praise was coming our way. The Dungannon coach said we were the best team they had ever played and we should have won 4-1. Scouts from Everton and other English clubs came to tell us how impressed they had been, but reality had to bite; we were out of the Foyle Cup and into the Plate Competition. The Shankill game had done for us.

FRIDAY JULY 23
FOYLE PLATE QUARTER FINAL
ARKLOW TOWN 1 ST OLIVER PLUNKETTS 0

This game saw the first signs of tiredness creep into the team. In what was a heavy-legged display, we had a large share of possession, which we were never really sharp enough to take advantage of. We were staring a penalty shoot-out in the face, with only minutes left, when Conor Dodd, collecting a loose ball just outside the box, hit an unstoppable drive to the top left hand corner of the goal. Phew!  Just when we thought that we had got out of jail, we had a huge fright. With nothing left to lose, the lads from Belfast threw everything at us. Breaking through for the first time in the game, the centre forward was upended by a last-ditch Darragh Fitzgerald tackle. Many would have given a penalty for the challenge, but the ref waved play on. Justice for yesterday’s penalty retake fiasco! (Proving, yet again, that decisions for and against you really do balance out over the course of a competition…)  The scares weren’t over yet though; after another breakthrough, keeper Gary Fennell, faced with the classic one-on-one scenario, stood his ground bravely. He held his nerve, while the forward didn’t, and shot straight into his hands. Excellent goalkeeping in its dying moments had won us the game. We were through to the semi's.

FOYLE PLATE SEMI FINAL
ARKLOW TOWN 4   LETTERKENNY AND DISTRICT LEAGUE 0

This game started slowly for us. The Donegal boys had plenty of skill and were well organised. The first ten minutes were difficult for us, with their midfielders, in particular, showing lots of energy and excellent composure on the ball. Our back four, though, were showing great determination to keep the attackers out and the team as a whole held its nerve in this period of Letterkenny domination.  Gradually, we got to grips with the speed and movement of their midfield. Mikey Quigley started to win the ball with those trademark sliding tackles of his and Darragh Fitzgerald started to pick up a lot more of the breaking ball around the centre. This gave us the platform to start our passing game and the wingers and front men, who, up to now had not seen too much of the ball, started to get at their defence. Letterkenny still gave as good as they got and the game was very evenly balanced going into the half-time break.  Although we had pulled our game around, Lar called for even more effort from everyone during the team talk and the players responded brilliantly. Just like in the Dungannon game, every player found a higher gear in the second half. Conor Dodd and Liam Scales started to get behind the full backs and Conor Byrne and Ross Hanley were escaping from the tight marking of the centre backs, so it was no surprise when our first goal came in the 35th minute. After some great work on the right hand side from Jack Darcy, Conor Byrne let go with a lovely strike from the edge of the area. 5 minutes later, Liam Scales, who, by now, was tormenting the left side of their defence, went past the full back, cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable piledriver into the roof of the net.  David James on Peter Schmeicel’s shoulders wouldn’t have got to it!  Even though we were well on top, Letterkenny didn’t give up the fight, and it took a couple of brave blocks from Jack Somers and Tom Maher to keep the sheet clean, but the game was put beyond doubt when Ross Hanley was played through for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Showing his coolness and delightful footwork, he went round the keeper, only to see his shot blocked by a retreating defender. Ross got on to the rebound, went round the diving tackle of another defender and then put it into the net. Ice-cold finishing from a player who was having a great tournament. The icing on the cake came shortly before the end, when Stewart Mills smashed a first-time half-volley past the keeper after the ball was half-cleared to the edge of the box. All four goals were of the highest quality.  Everyone played a part in what was a great win, including the squad members who didn’t get on the field, but encouraged their tem-mates from the first whistle to the last, but, after the game, Lar singled out the performance of Cathal Kelleher, who brought a new dimension to his game by charging out from his goal like a man possessed to sweep behind the defence and brilliantly clearing every single ball that went past his back four.  We had done it and we had done it in style; we were in the final!

SATURDAY JULY 24
FOYLE PLATE FINAL
ARKLOW TOWN 3   DOWNPATRICK YOUTH LEAGUE 3
DOWNPATRICK WON ON PENALTIES

The Brandywell Showgrounds was buzzing when we arrived for the game. With all the finals down for decision in the one location, there was great excitement around the place. We can’t really go in to the gory details of the first-half horror show – there may be young children reading! It’s enough to say that we were 3-0 down within the first fifteen minutes of the game and looking like there was no way back for us. We had given away three unbelievably soft goals. Surprisingly, it looked like big-match nerves had got to us. We had to get some foothold in the game before half-time, if we were to stage any sort of recovery. Just as he had done against Dungannon, Ross Hanley got it for us, with what was almost a carbon copy of his goal in that game; cool-headed finishing with a lob over the keeper. At, 3-1, though, and with Arklow Town not playing well, the Ulster boys went into the break, feeling their lead was secure.  The message to the players in the team talk was harsh, but positive at the same time; we hadn’t begun to play and, if we did in the second half, we could still pull the game out of the fire. In what was nearly the prediction to beat all predictions, Lar told the players, "if we get an early goal, this game is going to be 4-3 win for us!"  Playing exactly to orders, Liam Scales came up with that early goal, within two minutes of the restart! Another carbon copy; this one was a replica of his goal in the yesterday’s semi. He cut in from the left and lashed another shot of incredible power into the roof of the net. We had got the perfect start and now we were rolling. The Down boys were clearly rocked and we took control of the game.  We were attacking with great aggressiveness and skill now and every move seemed to carry a threat to their goal. Constant Arklow pressure paid off with ten minutes to go, when Mikey Quigley rose highest in the penalty area to meet a free kick from the right, and twisted brilliantly to guide a back header into the far corner of the net. We were level – what a goal and what a comeback!  To their credit, the Downpatrick boys didn’t fall away after this. The equaliser stirred them and the rest of the game was evenly balanced, with our back four having to bravely defend a succession of corner kicks and Cathal Kelleher doing well to get his hands to a couple of long range shots. We had more chances, though, and Conor Byrne, especially, was unlucky to see two great efforts blocked. Despite great effort from every player on the pitch, neither team could find another goal and, at the end of what was a fantastic game, we had to face the dreaded penalty shoot-out.  There was heartbreak for our boys when we failed to score from our first two spot kicks and they stuck three away. It was a horrible way to lose a final, especially after a superhuman fight back, but we came away from the game, and the tournament, with our heads held high. We had learned a lot, and had really strengthened the bonds between the players.  We had scored goals of high quality (and gave away some very soft ones) and had played some excellent football.  At all times, the behaviour of the players was impeccable; they were a credit to their families, to the club and the town. They got an appreciation of the discipline and dedication needed to be successful at this level and had a little taste of the life of the full-time footballer. Most of all, though, they had fun and enjoyed every minute of it.

A gallery of images from Town's Foyle Cup campaign:

Aug 3 19's look back on a fine Foyle Cup tournament
All three Arklow Town sides travelled to Derry, and with the U19’s facing an opening fixture later in the evening, they travelled ahead of the other teams and upon arrival at the Waterfront Hotel they used this time to prepare the room allocations for the entire travelling party, erecting club signage and banners throughout the hotel.

Monday, July 19
Town’s U19’s opening Foyle Cup Group A game was against Derry opposition, facing Ballymoor Colts in Oaklands, home of Trojans FC, in the Creggan area close to the Brandywell. Clive Crammond put Town ahead in the fourth minute when Jonathan Kelty’s shot was parried by the keeper, with Crammond first to react, hammering home the opening goal. Town’s lead was doubled in the 20th minute when Paul Barr outmuscled the central defender from a Cormac O'Brien clearance and running free he slipped the ball past the on-rushing Ballymoor keeper. The Derry side pulled one back five minutes later with their first attack, a free kick 30 yards from goal was whipped into the box, their central defender nipping in between two Town players to head home. Fifteen minutes into the second half, the sides were level, a long ball flicked on by their striker, finding the left winger, and his brilliant shot beat Town keeper Cormac O'Brien. Town pounded the Ballymoor goal in search of a winner to no avail.

Tuesday, July 20
A much better performance from Town’s U19’s against Oxford United, played at the Brandywell Showgrounds. Facing Oxford, a big physical side playing a direct game on a very small tight pitch, it was Daniel Ledwith who scored what turned out to be the game’s solitary goal in the fifteenth minute, heading home a brilliant Adam Hanlon free kick from the right flank. Hero of the evening had to be keeper Cormac O’Brien for two quite wonderful saves. In truth however the Town side should have won by a clearer margin in what was a keenly contested game.

Wednesday, July 21
Town needed to win their last Group A game in order to progress into the Foyle Cup semi final. Going into their last fixture versus Morecambe at Templemore Central the group was still wide open, though with Town’s win against Oxford put Town into the driving seat it was the Arklow side who enjoyed a slender advantage. The game versus Morecambe was without doubt the best game of the U19 tournament with the two sides having a right good go at each other from first whistle to last. Daniel Ledwith’s excellent 25 yard free kick opened the scoring in the 20th minute. Playing against a stiffening breeze Town should have added two additional goals in the opening half. Instead they conceded a deflected goal just five minutes after Ledwith’s opener. The second half was tight with a share in possession and chances created. Again, keeper Cormac O’Brien excelled when called upon, with a number of outstanding saves. Equally, a fantastic display from Clive Crammond. High drama late in the game, in the very last minute of the game, Paul Barr was felled in the Morecambe area, leaving the referee pointing towards the penalty spot. Jonathan Kelty hammered home the resultant penalty to win the game for Town and, more importantly, secure passage through to the Foyle Cup semi final.

Thursday, July 22
Town faced holders and hosts Derry City at the Brandywell Showgrounds with Daniel Ledwith a major injury concern. Ledwith had been badly injured in the previous evening’s clash with Morecambe. Appreciating this was a big test for Town the team opened magnificently with Keith Armstrong and Adam Hanlon in brilliant form. Town looked to have taken a lead in the fifteenth minute when defender Michael Quinlevan headed home a cross at the far post. The referee’s assistant gave the goal but for somehow, amazingly, the referee disallowed Quinlevan’s strike. Daniel Ledwith failed to re-appear for the second half but Town continued to dominate. Derry almost snatched victory inside the last minute but yet again keeper O’Brien pulled off two fantastic saves. Town then suffered another injury blow with the ever influential Domhnall Minogue stretchered off with a bad knee injury. To compound matters Derry City won the following penalty shoot out to advance to the Foyle Cup Final. Town were left to face Institute in the 3rd /4th Place Play Off.

Friday, July 23
Town faced Derry side Institute at their own Riverside stadium and were soon ahead with an early fourth minute strike from Adam Hanlon giving Town the best possible start, a low shot past the home keeper. Institute rallied and put Town under increasing pressure for the next ten minutes or so. Town’s defence remained strong, denying the Derry side any clear opportunities to level. Town opened well in the second half and doubled their lead when Clive Crammond, linking up with Daniel Ledwith, steered his shot past the keeper. Ten minutes later Crammond netted his second and Town’s third, another direct run through the centre of the Institute defence and a cracking shot past the keeper. With fifteen minutes remaining man of the match Peter Walker deservedly slotted home goal number four after rounding the keeper.

In summary, a great tournament for Town’s U19 side, with two draws and three victories in their five fixtures. Nine goals scored and just three conceded. Well done to All.

Saturday, July 24
With their own Foyle Cup programme now ended, the 19’s rowed in behind Town’s U14’s and U12’s competing in their own final fixtures. After those fixtures were concluded the team returned to the Waterfront Hotel for late lunch and tournament signing off.

Well done to all the players and staff of Arklow Town FC for representing the Club so proudly over a hectic week’s action in Derry. A huge thank you must also go to Dave Dearnie, physio at Sheffield United, who attended the tournament at the request of the Arklow Town FC / Sheffield United FC Academy.

A gallery of images from the opening of this year's Foyle Cup tournament:

July 24 Penalties deny 12's as 14's finish on a high
Arklow Town U12's ended their debut at the Foyle Cup with an appearance in the Plate Final against Downpatrick Youth League earlier today.  The match ended 3-3, with Town's goals coming from Ross Hanley, Liam Scales and Mikey Quigley.  Penalties were required to determine a Plate Winner with Downpatrick prevailing from the spot in an exciting decider.  Earlier in the day, Town's 14's brought down the curtain on their own Foyle Cup campaign with a convincing 4-1 win over Lisnaskea.

July 23 12's reach Plate Final as 19's land third place finish
Again, four games played by Arklow Town sides in today's Foyle Cup action, with the 12's playing two games, facing Belfast club St. Oliver Plunkett in the morning, winning 1-0 with a Conor Dodd goal.  Later in the day they faced Letterkenny in the Plate semi final and eased to a 4-0 win with goals from Conor Byrne, Liam Scales, Stewart Mills and Ross Hanley.  The U14's lost their Foyle Shield semi final on penalties to Carnbane Youth League after a 1-1 draw, with Kyle Hilliard netting for Town.  The U19's ended their Foyle Cup campaign with a thorough 4-0 win over Institute.  Adam Hanlon put Town into a first half lead with Clive Crammond (2) and Peter Walker adding second half goals.

July 22 Doyle hat trick puts 14's into Shield semi final on disappointing day for Town
Four games played today involving Arklow Town sides, with the 14's in action twice and both 12's and 19's following.  Town's 14's faced group leaders Linfield needing nothing less than a win to maintain hopes of topping the group.  However, Linfield won the game 2-0 leaving Town to compete in the Shield competition.  They faced Coleraine in the Shield quarter final later in the day and won that contest 5-0 with Cillian Doyle bagging a hat trick.  Bernard Fox added one from the penalty spot as did Kyle Jordan.  The 12's faced group leaders Dungannon United needing a win to preserve their own Foyle Cup ambitions.  Ross Hanley scored for Town in a 1-1 draw, leaving Town to compete in the Foyle Plate competition, set to face Belfast side St. Oliver Plunkett tomorrow morning in the quarter final.  Lastly, major disappointment tonight at the Brandywell Showgrounds for Town's U19 side, facing hosts and holders Derry City in the Foyle Cup semi final.  Both sides went into the tie unbeaten and both sides emerged from the clash still unbeaten, the game deadlocked at 0-0.  Penalties were needed to seperate the sides with, unfortunately, the home team prevailing from the spot.  Town now face Institute tomorrow evening in the 3/4th place play off, a 7pm kick off at Templemore Swilly.

July 21 Thursday is D-Day!
Thursday promises to be a hectic day in Derry with the fate of our three sides about to become a lot clearer by the end of day.  Granted, the U19's are already through to the Foyle Cup semi final, to face hosts and holders Derry City at the Brandywell Showgrounds tomorrow evening at 7pm.  Here we look at the variables facing all three Town sides.

July 21 Late late Kelty penalty puts Town into Foyle Cup semi final
A highly dramatic evening at Templemore Central this evening as Town's U19's faced English side Morecambe assured in the knowledge that a win would secure a place in tomorrow's Foyle Cup semi final as Group A winners.  Having beaten Oxford United last night thanks to a Daniel Ledwith header Town were perfectly placed going into this evening's clash with Morecambe, their destiny in their own hands.  A perfect start for Town saw Daniel Ledwith firing home a free kick in the 20th munute to give Town the lead.  Morecambe levelled with a deflected effort five minutes later eluding Town keeper Cormac O'Brien.  With Oxford United romping to a 4-0 win against Ballymoor Colts in tonight's other Group A fixture Town needed a winner.  Late in the game Town were awarded a penalty and it was fitting that Jonathan Kelty stepped up to take the pressure kick.  Kelty, one of Town's stars in the recent Leinster FA Youth Cup Final win over St. Kevin's Boys at Dalymount Park, missed the dramatic penalty shoot out on that historic afternoon with injury midway through the second half necessitating a journey by ambulance to the nearby Mater Hospital.  Tonight though was to be Jonathan's moment and he strode up to smash home the precious winning goal to seal Town's victory and place in the last four.  After tonight's victory Town were drawn to face holders Derry City in the semi final, meeting the hosts at the Brandywell Showgrounds at 7pm tomorrow.  Institute will face Finn Harps in the other semi final.  Town will be hoping to atone for last year's disappointment where the hosts benefitted from not one but two rather dubious late penalties, to progress at Town's expense.

Major disappointment though earlier in the day with a somewhat shock defeat for Town's U12 team.  Having performed superbly well in a 4-1 win yesterday against Ballymoney Select Town went into today's game versus Shankill Youth knowing that their opponents were keen to bounce back from a 10-0 hammering from Dungannon United yesterday.  A highly frustrating afternoon for Town losing 2-0 to the Belfast side.  No match details as yet, hopefully a report to follow.

July 21 14's fail to convert supremacy
A frustrating afternoon for Town's U14 side playing northern club Limavady United in their second Group B fixture.  Hoping to build upon yesterday's excellent draw with pre-tournament favourites Ferencvaros, Town started brightly against a Limavady side aiming themselves to bounce back from an opening game 0-2 defeat against Linfield.  Town started well but in truth never really advanced from their opening supremacy, despite creating a number of scoring opportunities.  Conditions did not suit either side, heavy rain meaning heavy going.  Town took the lead from a Cormac Murphy corner kick, with Kaelim Broughan rising highest to head home a delightful goal.  However, once Limavady equalised there was always a look of stalemate about the game.  Town however are well capable of raising their game, with their best hopefully still to come.  Tomorrow promises to be a very busy day as Town face current group leaders Linfield in a clash that will decide the outcome of the group, and who advances into the Foyle Cup semi final.  Linfield drew with Ferencvaros today which puts Town in the position knowing that a win over their northern rivals could possibly see them topping the group, depending of course on the outcome of the other game involving Ferencvaros and Limavady.  Head to head results over-rides goal difference in settling group placings, and with the group tentatively poised (all four sides have two points from two games) it is very much all to play for on Thursday morning.  The ideal scenario would see wins on Thursday morning for both Town and Limavady.  Whatever happens, all four teams will be in action again on Thursday evening, facing quarter final opposition in the various Cup / Plate / Rose Bowl / Shield competitions.

July 20 Stylish Town sides win on the double
After the impressive result earlier in the day from Town's U14's versus Hungarian's Ferencvaros, it was centre stage this evening for Arklow Town's U12's, facing Ballymoney Select at the Vale Centre in Greysteel in their opening game of this year's Foyle Cup.  Town were immediately into their stride and were soon clearly on top, passing the ball with measured aplomb.  Conor Byrne opened the scoring for Town with a well taken goal and Mikey Quigley doubled Town's lead not long afterwards, converting from the penalty spot.  The best move of the game resulted in Liam Scales further increasing Town's lead before the interval - a sweeping move involving a number of players, the ball played out from the back, wing to wing and ending with Scales showing a clinical touch in front of goal.  The northern side pulled one back before Calem Devereux sealed the win with a fourth goal for Town.  Town's second game in the group stage tomorrow afternoon is against a Shankill Youth side that were heavily beaten today by Dungannon United, so confidence in securing back to back wins must be high.

Meanwhile the U19's went into this evening's key Group A game against Oxford United knowing that a win and nothing less was imperative if to maintain any hopes of competing for the Foyle Cup itself.  United in winning their opening game against Morecambe had edged into pole position after Town's opening draw with Ballymoor Colts and knew a win for themselves would secure a semi final place.  However, this was to be Town's evening, a thorough performance against a very physical Oxford side, relying mainly on long balls.  Despite enjoying a healthy advantage in possession Town spurned a number of chances to take the lead.  That all changed when a free kick from Adam Hanlon found Daniel Ledwith unmarked in the penalty area and he headed Town ahead with a well placed finish.  Town continued to play some good football and though failing to add the insurance of a second goal they looked very assured.  However, late in the game, keeper Cormac O'Brien was forced into a reactionary save, tipping over the bar from close range.  In the end though a deserved win for Town, the result now putting the U19's into pole position.  The other Group A game this evening saw Morecambe earning their first point in the competition, drawing with Ballymoor Colts.  Tomorrow afternoon sees Town facing Morecambe knowing that a win will see Town advance straight to the Foyle Cup semi finals on Thursday afternoon.  Town's destiny is firmly in Arklow hands.  Tomorrow will decide all.

July 20 Heroic Town hold Mighty Magyars
Many reading this won't truly acknowledge the significance of a 0-0 draw with Hungary's Ferencvaros.  Indeed, many just might wonder who or what are Magyars!  The Magyars is a reference to the golden era of Hungarian football, with players like Ferenc Puskas dominating world football in the 1950's and that reference still lives on today, with Ferencvaros, although not as successful internationally as in times gone by, still remain a famous name in football.  Arklow Town, through our association with Sheffield United, have enjoyed a link with the Hungarian club in the past year alone, with both Aaron Barry (now with Sheffield United) and Domhnall Minogue guesting for the Hungarians in the Puskas Tournament last summer.  Today's meeting, a debut appearance in the Foyle Cup for the Under 14's, pitted our lads with the famous Hungarians.  In truth, the Hungarians dominated the first half, denied by some brilliant defending (from the front line back) and whenever they broke through they were thwarted by the confident figure of Aaron Jackson, in Town's goal.  Aaron has just enjoyed a fabulously successful season with club and county.  A member of the WDSL squad who finished third in the recent Kennedy Cup, he was named Player Of The Year as Town lifted both Shield and Premier Cup titles.  Today he was magnificent, frustrating the Hungarians all game long.  Mind you, this was very much a team effort with each and every last player putting in a shift and a half.  The team gained immeasurable confidence from Jackson's three fantastic saves in the first half and were industrious throughout the game.  Keith Byrne up front faced an opponent almost twice his size yet he worked tirelessly to create openings.  Jordan Gannon, Kyle Hilliard and Kyle Jordan were workaholics in the middle of the park and Town almost stole all three points, going close with a Cormac Murphy effort.  In summary, a performance to be proud of and fully deserving of a share of the spoils against fancied opponents.  Town now face Limavady United tomorrow afternoon, with the northern side looking to bounce back from an opening game defeat at the hands of Linfield.

July 19 Frustrating opening draw for 19's
Frustration for Arklow Town's Under 19's earlier this evening, forced to settle for a share of the spoils in a four goal thriller in Derry's Oakland Park.  Town had roared into a two goal lead inside the first 25 minutes with Clive Crammond and Paul Barr netting for Town.  Town's sense of frustration grew with two further goals being disallowed and to compound matters the Derry side hauled themselves back into the tie with two goals of their own.  In the other Group A game Oxford United proved too strong for Morecambe, winning 4-2 to lead the group at this early stage.  Town face Oxford United tomorrow evening and nothing less than a win and three points will be good enough for Town if to preserve ambitions of lifting the Foyle Cup.

July 18 Group fixtures at a glance
With three Town sides heading north in the morning, a cursory glance at the group fixtures scheduled for our three sides, competing at Under 19, Under 14 and Under 12 levels.  The Under 19's kick off proceedings tomorrow evening, meeting Ballymoor Colts at Oaklands.  Best of luck to all our competing teams.

Group Fixtures:

July 10 Town teams looking forward to Foyle Cup
Just ten days to go before the 18th annual Foyle Cup kicks off in Derry city and surrounding area.  The tournament, one of the largest in Europe, takes place over five days, from July 20 through to July 24 though this year's Under 19 section kicks off on Monday evening, July 19th, with Arklow Town Under 19's in action.  Similar to last season's tournament Arklow Town will have three teams competing.  The U19's, as already mentioned, are competing in the new Under 19 section which replaces the under 18 age group won by Derry City in 2009 following a 4-0 thumping of Motherwell in the final.  16 teams have been split into four groups of four teams in a roughly geographic manner.  Group winners qualify for the main competition Foyle Cup semi finals; group runners up play in Plate competition; third in Rosebowl competition while the fourth placed sides enter the Shield format.  Group games kick off on the eve of the official opening of the Foyle Cup, on Monday evening, with kick offs at 7pm.  Town's Under 19 team have been drawn in Group A, where they fill face Ballymoor Colts, Morecambe FC and Oxford United.  Town kick off their Foyle Cup campaign with a meeting against Ballymoor Colts, at Oaklands on Monday evening.  Tuesday evening sees Town facing Derry side Oxford United at the Brandywell Showgrounds.  Their last group game pits Town against English side, Morecambe, this time playing at Templemore Central.  The semi finals will take place on Thursday evening (again, 7pm kick off) with the Finals and 3rd Place Play Offs kicking off on Friday evening at 7pm.  Town are currently busy preparing for the Foyle Cup and will face a Sheffield United Academy side at Bridgewater Centre Park next Thursday afternoon (July 15) at Bridgewater Centre Park, kick off at 3.45pm, their last outing before travelling north.

Town's WDSL Shield and Premier Cup winning Under 13A team are travelling to the Foyle Cup for the first time.  A number of the squad were members of the successful WDSL Kennedy Cup squad who performed heroically well at the recent tournament in Limerick, with the WDSL achieving a best ever third place finish.  Competing this year in a highly competitive Under 14 section Town have been drawn in Group B where they face stern examinations from Ferencvaros, Linfield FC and Limavady United FC.  Hungarian club Ferencvaros are owned by Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe's company and aligned to that Arklow Town's link with the Yorkshire club it should prove to be an intriguing encounter when the two sides meet in their Group B clash.  32 teams have been entered to compete in the Under 14 section, including Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic and Hearts.  Town open their campaign with the aforementioned meeting with Ferencvaros, at Daisyfield, the game kicking off on Tuesday July 20 at 3.45pm.  Twenty four hours later they will meet Limavady United FC, again at Daisyfield, this game kicking off at 1pm.  Town's last group game, against Belfast side Linfield FC, will kick off at Clooney Park West on Thursday morning, July 22, at 11.00am.  Town will then know which trophy they will compete for - with Cup, Plate, Rosebowl and Shield quarter finals due to fill Thursday's itinerary.  Semi finals and finals are scheduled for Friday and Saturday respectively.

With 28 clubs vying for success in the Under 12 section, Town's Under 12 team have been drawn in Group A.  There they will face a trilogy of games against northern opposition, facing Ballymoney Select, Dungannon United and Shankill Youth FC.  The Foyle Cup campaign kicks off with a meeting against Ballymoney Select at Vale Centre, Greysteel.  Kick off at 5.15pm on Tuesday, July 20.  Wednesday afternoon sees Town facing Shankill Youth FC at 3pm in St. Columbs Park 2.  Town's last group fixture is against Dungannon United and that kicks off on Thursday afternoon, again at 3pm, but this time at Leafair.  Quarter finals in the various competitions will take place on Thursday.  Semi finals to follow on Friday with the numerous finals all taking place on Saturday, bringing an end to no doubt another wonderful Foyle Cup.

Coverage of all games will appear here throughout the tournament and our updates will be frequent.  Best of luck to our competing sides.

Recall last season's Foyle Cup tournament here.