ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó

On Friday, July 5th, ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó team members from Omagh, Dungannon, Campsie, Cookstown and Carrickmacross came together for the 7th annual Neal Hanratty Memorial Cup. The charity fundraising event, held in honour of ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó Omagh team member, Neal Hanratty, featured a 7-a-side football tournament followed by a celebratory BBQ.

Thanks to the generosity of team members from across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, £4,000 was raised through team entries, BBQ tickets, and raffle tickets. The funds will be divided among four Northern Ireland-based charities nominated by team members: MS Society, Tiny Life (dedicated to premature babies), Inspire (a social enterprise), and Air Ambulance NI. 

Twelve dedicated teams, took to the field at Omagh Rugy Club, each determined to claim the coveted Neal Hanratty Memorial Cup. Despite the torrential rain, the teams received strong support from the crowds who came to cheer on their colleagues.  The tournament was a thrilling display of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. From nail-biting matches to spectacular goals, the players showcased their talents and competed with enthusiasm. After a fierce yet friendly battle on the field, the Campsie Bilbao F.C., representing the Campsie site team, emerged victorious as the champions, after a penalty shootout against Gortrush Galacticos (the Omagh team!) Team Captain, Kevin Mc Williams, lifted the trophy on behalf of the team.

The Neal Hanratty Memorial Cup is more than just a football tournament; it is a celebration of team spirit and citizenship, a fitting tribute to Neal's memory. The collective effort of players, volunteers, and supporters exemplified the true essence of community.

Special thanks to all the football teams for participating, the referees, event coordinator David Tierney, the Omagh canteen, Omagh Rugby Club for the use of their facilities, Claire Ewing for the poster designs, and Edel Fearon for capturing the day's fun with drone footage, video, and photography. Additionally, we extend our gratitude to the HR teams across the sites for promoting the sale of raffle tickets, the BBQ team of cooks led by David Lyons, everyone who assisted with the venue setup, and anyone else who contributed to making this event a success.

Special thanks to the local businesses that provided raffle prizes and to each of our ÖÁ×ðµç×Ó brands for donating merchandise. We also appreciate the local football clubs Strathroy, Mountjoy, and Ardstraw for the use of their goals.