Ballynarrig claim victory in charity tournament

Charlie Connor, David McKeegan, Ryan Moorehead, Matthew Witherow and Craig Moore pictured at the Limavady Bands Charity football tournament and fun day. INLV1914-230KDR

The tournament, organised by the Limavady Bands Forum, showcased the football talents of local Orange bands. Edenmore, Star of the Roe, Ballyquin and Ballynarrig all took part in the event.

The first match kicked off at 12pm in a lively encounter and with each match lasting just 15 minutes per half, there were numerous frenetic but good natured match ups between the local bands.

The football tournament, held in aid of Coleraine schoolboy Oliver Dickey, was won by Ballynarrig in an enjoyable final.

All the money raised at the event, organised alongside the Limavady Bands Forum, are in aid of the campaign to send little Oliver to the USA for potentially life-changing surgery. Oliver Dickey was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in April 2010. His parents, Charlene and Neil, launched an emotional plea for help to raise the £60,000 required to help send him to St Louis Children’s Hospital in Missouri for a new type of treatment pioneered by a man named Dr TS Park. His surgery has allowed children with similar conditions the chance to walk, sit and stand. Fundraising events have taken place across the Limavady Borough, in his home town of Coleraine, and across Northern Ireland as kind hearted folks tried to help the youngster achieve his dream of walking.

The organiser of the fun day and football tournament, David McKeegan, said: “There were a few of us decided to try and put together a charity football match. It ended up we went with a whole fun day and everything.

“It worked out really well. With all the donations and everything we still don’t know the full total but it is in and round £700 which is really good because it was a real horrible day in terms of the weather.

“We did the football as a sort of a group stage first of all and all four teams played each other. Then, in the final, it was ourselves in Ballyquin and Ballynarrig. We actually beat them 4-2 in the group stages but in the final they won one-nil. Their best player was probably Scott McNougher, who plays for Burnfoot FC. It was Craig Witherow who got the goal. I know he has been in and around the Limavady Youths so he is a good player too.

“Our goalkeeper more or less kept us in it in the final. Sam McAlary is a great player. He’s playing for Limavady Under 18’s and he’s been in the Milk Cup and everything.

“The crowd sort of filtered in and out, depending on who was playing. Edenmore would say they had good support! There were maybe as many as 200 at it.”