Coffey Cup to celebrate its 75th anniversary

Back in 1939 Fivemiletown Blues were the inaugural winners of the cross border competition that has stood the test of time, and 75 years later eight invited teams from both sides of the border will once again compete for a title that is one of the oldest summer soccer competitions in Northern Ireland.

Enniskillen Town are looking to make it a hat-trick of victories and they start their campaign with a match against Monaghan Town, Ballinamallard IIs will play Maguiresbridge and Clones Town take on Lisbellaw.

Clones Town have a rich history in the tournament, losing out in the first final in 1939 after a feisty encounter with Fivemiletown in which the visiting team from across the border were reported to have walked off the pitch. To commemorate that final the organisers, Lisnaskea Rovers, have invited Clones back to take part this season, produced a shirt combining the colours of the two finalists that day, and they hope to have a relative of the Cup’s founder available to present the trophy to the overall winners.

“The Rev Hubert Coffey originally presented the club with the cup in 1939 and we are hoping to have a nephew of his come along to assist with the presentation at the final,” said Chairman of Lisnaskea Rovers Davy Wheeler, as he reflected on the history of the competition. “In the 70s and 80s it was one of the premier football competitions in the North of Ireland. There used to be huge crowds when it was played down at Attybarn. There would have been 600 or 700 people at those games, and then there was always a dance afterwards in what was the Ortine Hotel.” In recent years the losing teams in the first round have had the opportunity to play off for the Bob Jardine Shield, this year sponsored by Liam Connolly Road Freight. Last season Lisbellaw claimed the shield which was introduced in memory of long standing Lisnaskea Rovers member Bob Jardine. “Bob Jardine died in 2006, but he was a long established member of the Rovers ever since he arrived in Lisnaskea in 1959,” said Davy Wheeler. “He had been the backbone of Rovers football club until his death. Bob would have made sure that the Coffey Cup was played each year in different guises and through some difficult times, and it is fitting that the club put up the shield as part of the Coffey Cup.” Over the years there have been some memorable encounters and some star players battling for the trophy, and this season the competition is set to be as keenly contested as ever.

“It is a very meaningful pre-season tournament for many clubs because you are guaranteed two or three games,” said Davy. “There were some great players that would have played in the Coffey Cup, including the likes of Roy Carroll and various high quality players at some stage, but in the 75 years no team has never won the competition more than seven times so no one has dominated. Enniskillen Town this year are going for the hat-trick and it will be interesting to see how that pans out but I know Ballinamallard Reserves are going to be strong this year as well.” Coffey Cup Fixtures: Friday 18th July Lisnaskea Rovers v Enniskillen Rangers Monday 21st July Ballinamallard reserves v Maguiresbridge Wednesday 23rd July Lisbellaw United v Clones Town Friday 25th July Enniskillen Town v Monaghan Town All matches kick off at 8pm on the 4G pitch at Castle Park Centre, Lisnaskea.