Ballymena United Girls’ and Boys’ U12 among NIYFA Finals Day winners in Cookstown

Ballymena United emerged among the standout winners as more than 500 young footballers and over 2,000 spectators packed into Cookstown for a dramatic NIYFA Subway Cup Finals Day celebrating the very best of youth football across Northern Ireland.

The Ballymena club secured silverware in both the Boys’ and Girls’ competitions, with the Boys’ Under-12 side lifting the Cup title after an extra-time victory over Glenavon, while Ballymena United’s girls edged a tense penalty shootout to win the Under-12 Girls’ Plate Final.

Across a packed programme featuring 34 teams from across Northern Ireland, the Mid Ulster Sports Arena hosted a full day of Cup and Plate finals that showcased the growing strength, competitiveness and depth of the grassroots game.

Ballymena United boys claim dramatic extra-time triumph

One of the day’s biggest moments for local supporters came in the Under-12 Boys’ Cup Final, where Ballymena United defeated Glenavon 4-2 after extra-time in an entertaining and high-quality encounter.

The result secured one of the most prestigious youth titles in Northern Ireland football for the Ballymena side and capped a strong Finals Day showing for the club.

Ballymena also celebrated success in the Girls’ Plate competition after drawing 1-1 with Magherafelt Sky Blues before holding their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties in the Under-12 decider.

The victories ensured local representation among the national honours winners and highlighted the continued strength of youth football development within the Ballymena area.

Thousands gather for showcase youth football event

The Northern Ireland Youth FA staged the event as its flagship end-of-season showcase, bringing together teams, families, coaches and supporters from across the country.

A total of 34 teams competed across boys’ and girls’ Cup and Plate finals, with matches spanning multiple age groups from Under-11 through to Under-17.

There were standout performances throughout the day, with Linfield and Glentoran both securing double success in the Girls’ Cup competitions.

In the Boys’ Cup competitions, silverware was shared among Portadown, Ballymena United, Linfield, Cliftonville, Larne and St Oliver Plunkett, reflecting the competitive nature of the youth game across Northern Ireland.

Drama across the Boys’ Cup finals

The finals programme had begun on Friday evening when Cliftonville edged out Linfield in a dramatic Under-14 Boys’ Cup Final at Ulidia Playing Fields.

In a five-goal thriller that went to extra-time, Cliftonville came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory, with O’Connor scoring a decisive double to settle the contest.

Monday’s action continued with further drama as Portadown defeated Glenavon on penalties in the Under-11 Boys’ Cup Final after a tense 1-1 draw.

Linfield then produced one of the most dominant displays of the day, defeating Glenavon 5-0 to lift the Under-13 Boys’ Cup.

Cliftonville added another title with a narrow 1-0 victory over Glenavon in the Under-15 final, before Larne secured the Under-16 crown with a 4-2 win over Cliftonville, inspired by a hat-trick from Eoin Harden.

St Oliver Plunkett completed the Boys’ Cup line-up with a convincing 3-0 victory over Ards in the Under-17 final.

Girls’ finals produce strong performances

The Girls’ Cup competitions also delivered several closely fought contests and standout displays.

Linfield Ladies impressed in the Under-11 final with a 4-1 victory over Mid Ulster Ladies before Linfield secured another title with a narrow 1-0 win over Glentoran in the Under-14 decider.

Glentoran responded by lifting both the Under-12 and Under-13 Girls’ Cups following victories over Bloomfield Girls, including a penalty shootout triumph in the Under-12 final after the sides finished level at 1-1.

The Plate competitions added further excitement across the day, with Sion Swifts Tornados, Mid Ulster Ladies and Lisbellaw United all collecting silverware alongside Ballymena United.

Quick read - NIYFA Finals Day winners

Girls’ Cup Finals

• U11: Linfield 4-1 Mid Ulster Ladies

• U12: Glentoran 1-1 Bloomfield Girls - Glentoran won 4-3 on penalties

• U13: Glentoran 3-2 Bloomfield Girls

• U14: Linfield 1-0 Glentoran

Girls’ Plate Finals

• U11: Sion Swifts Tornados 3-0 Tristar Ladies

• U12: Ballymena United 1-1 Magherafelt Sky Blues - Ballymena won 4-3 on penalties

• U13: Mid Ulster Ladies 5-0 Belfast Swifts

• U14: Lisbellaw United 1-0 Tristar Ladies

Boys’ Cup Finals

• U11: Glenavon 1-1 Portadown - Portadown won 3-1 on penalties

• U12: Ballymena United 4-2 Glenavon after extra-time

• U13: Linfield 5-0 Glenavon

• U14: Cliftonville 3-2 Linfield after extra-time

• U15: Cliftonville 1-0 Glenavon

• U16: Larne 4-2 Cliftonville

• U17: St Oliver Plunkett 3-0 Ards

Boys’ Plate Finals

• U11: Glentoran 4-0 Cliftonville

U12: Moyola Park Youth 5-2 St Oliver Plunkett Colts

Organisers praise standard of football

Kirstey Elston, Senior Director, Marketing EMEA at Subway, said the event highlighted the strength of the youth football community across Northern Ireland.

“We were delighted to continue our partnership with NIYFA as part of our wider Fresh Moves programme, helping people lead more active lives across the UK and Ireland.

“Finals Day showcased a brilliant community of players, fans, volunteers and coaches, and we’re proud to support the development the game at this level and nurture the stars of the future.”

Michael Hutton, Chair of the NIYFA, said the occasion reflected an outstanding season of youth football.

“This has been an outstanding year of NIYFA Cup football across Northern Ireland, and the quality on show throughout both the Cup and Plate competitions has been exceptional.

“Finals Day is about more than silverware. It is about recognising the journey these players have been on and giving them a stage to express themselves and enjoy their football.”

With packed crowds, dramatic finals and local teams lifting silverware, the NIYFA Subway Cup Finals Day once again underlined the growing strength of grassroots football across Northern Ireland and the important role youth football continues to play within communities including Ballymena.