News
Belfast, 21st June, 2012
Local Football Clubs celebrate 2012 Coca-Cola Community Cup Success
Over 40 football clubs from all over the UK and Ireland descended on the Billy Neill Complex, Dundonald last week for the annual Coca-Cola Community Cup. This five-a-side football event is for disability football clubs and adult centres that cater for players with learning and/or physical disabilities. During the two day competition, some 200 games took place on 11 pitches, making for a wonderful spectacle of disability football in Northern Ireland.
Clubs were classified into one of four ability bands to ensure a level playing field and to give all competing teams the opportunity to win the Coca-Cola Community Cup. Local club Belfast Disability FC performed brilliantly, with their A team winning the Premiership with a penalty shoot-out victory over 6-times Premiership champions Llandudno from Wales and their B team were unfortunate not to mach them as they were defeated in the League 1 final by a brilliant display from Fermanagh based Lakeland Special Olympics Club.
Llandudno were not to be outdone and their B team won the competition with a narrow 1-0 victory over Co. Cork club Ballincollig, adding to their impressive 14 cup wins during the past eight years. Completing the list of cup winners were defending League 2 Champions, Kare from Co. Kildare, who retained their trophy in style with a fine victory over Downpatrick based Mountview.
Alan Crooks, Development Manager for Disability Football at the IFA was keen to praise the efforts of all competing teams. “It’s great to see so many talented players from all over the UK and Ireland testing themselves against teams of similar ability. The finals in particular were very impressive this year, ultra competitive, but played in the right spirit of the game. The competition is continuing to grow and with next year being the 10th anniversary of the Community Cup we hope it continues to develop into thee showcase football event for those with a disability in the UK.”
Speaking on behalf of sponsor, Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland, Events Team Manager Katie Hutchinson added “We are very proud to be part of the Coca-Cola Community Cup, which showcases some fantastic football talent from across the UK. The competition once again proved to be an exciting two days for participants and spectators alike and we congratulate all the organisers and of course the winning teams on such a talented display of football.”
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For more information, please contact:
Public Affairs and Communications Manager
Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland
Phone number: + 44 28 92 64 2000