Bump: QPR's Conor Pepper "Player of the Tournament

[Macmoish]

Belfast Telegraph

Thrilling finale to Foyle Cup tournament

Monday, 26th July 2010

As the curtain came down on another successful tournament Ballinamallard�s under-10s were the toast of the town after seeing off Derry & District Colts in the final 2-0.

The finals day began with Irish representative side NECSL (North East Counties Schools League) also securing their first ever title at under-16 level, claiming a 5-4 penalty shoot-out success over Queens Park Rangers � in front of a large travelling support from County Meath � after a 0-0 draw. QPR starlet Conor Pepper made up for that defeat by winning the coveted player of the tournament award.
Belfast side Newhill FC took the Plate title defeating Derry & District Youth 2-1.

Donegal Schools scooped the Rosebowl title, defeating local rivals Inishowen Academy on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

Lisburn Distillery were also celebrating after taking home the Plate following an entertaining 4-2 win over Ballymoney United.

A first in the under-12 competition saw two Northern Irish teams battle it out for the title.

Linfield and NW & Coleraine Youth League drew 2-2 on the opening day and once again did not disappoint the large Brandywell crowd.

Caolin O'Donnell rose at the back post to head the ball in off the post for NW & Coleraine�s opening goal. The Blues battled hard to get back into the game but they were to be disappointed early in the second half when keeper Alex Moore was unable to keep out a shot from Gareth Doherty and NW & Coleraine held on for a debut win.

Downpatrick Youth League made it a Northern Irish double with a 4-1 penalty win over Arklow Town after a pulsating 3-3 draw.

Inishowen Youth League defeated Ballinamallard 1-0 in the Rosebowl final and Carnbane Youth League needed penalties to defeat Ballymoney for the Shield title.

At under-14 level, Scottish giants Celtic and Hearts clashed in the final. These two sides have dominated the 19 years of the Foyle Cup with almost annual final appearances, with Celtic retaining their title with a shoot-out victory.

There was joy for Hearts� under-11s, however, who defeated Letterkenny & District 4-3.

Aspire Academy took the Plate title title back to Qatar with a 4-3 penalty win over hosts Derry & District and Hungarian side Ferencvaros won the Foyle Rosebowl after defeating Newry City.

www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/local/thrilling-finale-to-foyle-cup-tournament-14888845.html##ixzz0umV1B0pr

[Macmoish]

Is this right? Which players?

"...In the final on Saturday against a QPR side that included two players from Chelsea and Man Utd and one from Liverpool, the NECSL created a number of good chances with both Jonathan Coleman and John Murray going close while goalkeeper Paul Lynch made a fantastic late save to keep his team in the game..."



The Meath Chronicle

Foyle Cup to rest by the banks of the river Boyne
by Conall Collier
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The NECSL u-16 panel which captured the Foyle Cup last weekend.
Northern Ireland has proved to be a happy hunting ground for the North Eastern Counties Schoolboys' League (NECSL) in terms of silverware and last Saturday the u-16 representative team caused a major upset when they defeated a highly-regarded Queens Park Rangers team in the final of the Foyle Cup at the Brandywell.

"This was an excellent performance by the players and I'm very proud of what they achieved, it's the first time the NECSL has won the main competition," team manager Noel Hand told the Meath Chronicle.

The five-day tournament catered for teams at all age levels. This year the NECSL competed in the u-16 competition which featured top English teams like QPR, Hull City, Everton academy as well as top clubs from Dublin like St Kevin's Boys.

The first trophy that the NECSL won was the u-16 Erne Cup in Enniskillen in 1996 when they defeated Dundalk Schoolboys' League in the final. Denis Kealy from Dunshaughlin was the captain of that team

Last Saturday, the NECSL added another trophy to their cabinet when they beat the English team 5-4 on penalties following a thrilling final that was played in front of a large crowd.

The Foyle Cup takes place in Derry City and surrounding towns annually and this was the 18th year of the competition. Teams from the NECSL have competed in the competition since 1997 and once again this year were based at the University of Ulster campus.

The panel consisted of 18 players and each one had to contribute €325 towards the cost of competing in the tournament as the panel was based in Derry for six days.

Last Tuesday, the NECSL opened their campaign with a scoreless draw against Newhill FC. The only negative incident from the first game was the fact that Kingscourt player Jack Sheenan sustained a broken ankle and was brought to hospital locally.

The following day (Wednesday) the NECSL got off the mark with a fine performance against the Everton Academy which produced a 3-0 victory.

They bettered that with a 5-0 margin against the Belfast side from the Bertie Peacock Academy.

They then faced top Dublin side St Kevin's Boys in the semi-final where they recorded a 1-0 victory.

In the final on Saturday against a QPR side that included two players from Chelsea and Man Utd and one from Liverpool, the NECSL created a number of good chances with both Jonathan Coleman and John Murray going close while goalkeeper Paul Lynch made a fantastic late save to keep his team in the game.

The tie went straight to penalties and QPR went first. Both sides were on target with Daniel Hand, Oisin Reilly, Enda Flanagan and Ryan O'Reilly on target for the NECSL boys. QPR missed their fifth spot kick which put the pressure on Ballyjamesduff player Aodan McFarlane who duly converted.

RESULTS

First round - NECSL 0, Newhill FC 0; QPR 4, Glentoran 0.

Second round - NECSL 3, Everton Academy 0; QPR 1, Ballymoney Utd 0.

Third round - NECSL 5, Bertie Peacock Academy (Belfast) 0; QPR 2, Donegal 1.

Semi-finals - NECSL 1, St Kevin's Boys 0; QPR 2, Hull City 1.

Final - NECSL 0, QPR 0, 5-4 pens.

Panel

Dean Hosie, Obakeng Pilane, Dylan Regan (Parkvilla); Danny Connell, Dean Courtney, Paul Lynch (Trim Celtic); Ryan O'Reilly, Oisin Reilly (Kells / Blackwater); Jack Clancy, John Murray (Raistin Rovers); Aodan McFarlane, Enda Flanagan, Lindo Majola, Philip Clarke (Ballyjamesduff); Michael Argue, Jonathan Coleman (Carrick Rovers); Daniel Hand, Jack Sheenan (Kingscourt Harps).

www.meathchronicle.ie/sport/soccer/articles/2010/07/28/3998905-foyle-cup-to-rest-by-the-banks-of-the-river-boyne/

[Macmoish]

Two years ago...

Now just joined up with Terry Butcher

Football 365

Caley Thistle swoop for Pepper

Conor Pepper has played his way to a permanent deal at Inverness after impressing boss Terry Butcher while on trial.

Last Updated: 27/07/12

Terry Butcher: Swoops for Pepper

The 18-year-old midfielder started out at Queens Park Rangers on a youth contract but returned to Dublin to play for St Patrick's in the League of Ireland.

Pepper will now team up with fellow Irishmen Aaron Doran and Richie Foran at the Scottish Premier League side.

"Conor has put pen to paper after showing up very promisingly in pre-season matches," said Butcher.

"He plays in the centre of midfield and has real potential. Conor joins our first team squad where he can be an asset as he's a lively performer."

www.football365.com/transfer-centre/7942005/Caley-Thistle-swoop-for-Pepper


Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Connor Pepper and Liam Polworth sign for ICT

Caley Thistle have signed a midfielder reckoned to be 'hot stuff' --
Irish youngster Conor Pepper. And local lad Liam Polworth joins the first team squad.

ictfc.com/news/club-news