Five local Fermanagh clubs will be represented when the Foyle Cup kicks off next week. Ballinamallard will have nine teams taking part in the youth tournament, with Lisnaskea Rovers represented in two age groups and Kesh, Enniskillen Rangers and Enniskillen Athletic also sending teams.

The North West based tournament had grown in size recently and this year boasts a record number of teams, with over 400 sides competing in age groups from Under 9 up to Under 19.

Teams from across Ireland, the UK, mainland Europe and the United States will play on 45 pitches at 35 different venues. Approximately 1,550 matches will be played over six days of the football festival and over 6,000 participants are expected to take part.

The youngest age group sees two Ballinamallard teams in the Under 9 section. Ballinamallard FC have been drawn in a seven team group made up entirely from teams from the Derry and Donegal area and will start their campaign with two fixtures on Monday. The Colts will have Coleraine in their section, and will face them in their second match of day one after they have played Foyle Harps Juniors.

The Mallards also have two teams in the under 10 section. Last year the 2009 age group played each other in the final of the shield competition and they will be hoping for more trophies this year, but both have been drawn in strong groups. The Ballinamallard FC youngsters will face a traditionally strong East Donegal Schoolboys team in their final group game, with Sion Swifts and Maiden City Academy among their group games. The Colts team will start against two local sides on Monday in Clonmany Shamrocks and Bright Stars, and will also have to overcome Coleraine, Maiden City and St Oliver Plunketts if they are to top the group.

The Under 11 age group has representation from not only Ballinamallard but also Kesh and Lisnaskea Rovers.

The draw has kept all the Fermanagh sides apart for the group stages, with Rovers pitched against Coleraine, Portrush, East Belfast FC, Bonagee Utd and Sion Swifts.

Kesh open their tournament with a fixture against fellow BKYL side Tummery Athletic, before taking on Glenavon, Bertie Peacocks, Don Boscos and Dergview.

Again Ballinamallard have two teams entered with the Colts facing Westport United, Lurgan Celtic, the IFA Girls Development Squad, St Oliver Plunketts and Tristar. The other Mallard team will play Crusaders Hatchets, Illistrin, Rosario, Phoenix Athletic and Ballymoney United.

While the younger age groups will contest their matches from Monday to Friday of next week, the under 12, 13, 14 and 16 sections will all play through until next Saturday. Ballinamallard are the only local side entered in the Under 12 section, with the Mallards taking on Don Boscos in their first match and facing Tristar and Moyola Park in their other group games.

Lisnaskea Rovers are the sole Fermanagh side entered at Under 13 level. They have been drawn in a group alongside Finn Harps, Maiden City and Don Boscos, before completing the week with the knockout games.

Enniskillen Rangers have been handed a daunting task, with the under 14 team pitted against English academy side Sheffield United. They will also face Lisburn Youth League and Tristar in their group matches.

Enniskillen Athletic will contest the Under 19 section and could have a tie against American based team First Choice Soccer later in the week, but they will start their campaign against sides closer to home, with an opening match against Fanad United on Monday followed by games against Carndonagh and Limavady.

Ballinamallard will also have two teams from their girl’s section representing the club.

At Under 11 the Mallards will face Foyle Belles, Linfield Ladies Colts, Donegal Women, Larne Youth and Ballyraine. The Under 16 girls have a tough group, coming up against Donegal Women League, Sion Swifts and Derry City.