Ballinamallard U11s 1 Crusaders U11s 1

(Ballinamallard win 4-3 on pens)

It was a hugely successful week for Ballinamallard Academy at this year’s Foyle Cup.

The 2011s won the U11 Cup having conceding just a single goal in all eight games and beating some top opposition to claim the trophy.

Goals from Luca Hall and a great finish by Roger Allen gave the Ducks a 2-0 win over Glentoran on the Friday morning and that sent them into the final in the afternoon against Crusaders; a team that they lost the NIBFA Cup Final to back in May.

The Crues took an early lead but the Mallards dug deep and again Luca Hall came up with the equaliser late in the second half.

The dreaded penalties awaited and the hero of the moment turned out to be Shea McManus who made two great saves to deny the Belfast boys, with penalties converted by Luca Hall, Rueben Clarke, Ben Burns and then the final one by Roger Allen securing the trophy.

Youth Academy Chairman Whitey Anderson was delighted to see such strong progress across all teams.

“We first entered the Foyle Cup over 20 years ago in 2000 and I remember coming up against a Leeds United team who had future England internationals Aaron Lennon and James Milner in their ranks. I’m delighted that our association with the tournament remains strong and all seven teams have performed admirably all week.

“Having only won the tournament twice before I’m over the moon to see two of our youth teams win it this week but the player development is also critical for us and very pleasing to see,” he said.