Sligo’s first ever under age soccer tournament takes place on Saturday next at the recently refurbished strandhill community park. It will see eight teams and over 140 players compete for glory. It forms part of an overall festival of football over the weekend.

In a first for County Sligo the invitation only event will see teams from Roscommon, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo battle it out for the inaugural North West Cup. From Sligo the local side, Strand Celtic, will be involved with Ballisodare United and Cliffoney/Grange. Mayo will be represented by Ballina Town while Roscommon will be represented by champions Castlrea Celtic and Boyle Celtic.

The top two in each group will compete for the North West Cup while the third and fourth placed teams will compete for the shield. This guarantees each team a total of five games over the day.

Tournament tee-shirts will be available on the day and there will be a shop and teas/coffees etc for anyone wishing to watch a game.

The event is supported by the local Sligo-Leitrim and District schoolboys’ league and also has the support of the FAI. In addition the presentation of prizes will be undertaken by Sligo Rovers manager, Paul Cook. The Shield final is planned for 5:30pm and the Cup Final at 6pm at Strandhill Community Park.

The groups and fixtures are as follows:

Group A Group B

A1: Sligo – Strand Celtic B1: Sligo
A2: Leitrim B2: Leitrim
A3: Roscommon B3: Roscommon
A4: Mayo B4: Mayo


GROUP STAGES

Time Pitch One Pitch Two
11:00 A1 v A2 A3 v A4
11:45 B1 v B2 B3 v B4
12:30 A3 v A1 A2 v A4
13:15 B3 v B1 B2 v B4
14:00 A4 v A1 A3 v A2
14:45 B4 v B1 B3 v B2
15:30 Winner A v Runners Up B Winners B v Runners Up A
16:15 3rd A v 4th B 3rd B v 4th A
17:00 Cup 3rd Place Playoff Shield 3rd Place Playoff
17:45 Shield Final
18:30 Cup Final