A West Belfast youth football club is appealing for local business sponsorship to help fund its under-15 squad’s participation in the 2026 Foyle Cup.

The tournament begins next Monday in Derry and will host over 1,000 teams from across the globe. Belfast Celtic Young Men are set to compete.

The club’s under-15 side has climbed from Division Six four years ago to the top tier of the South Belfast Youth League, where they regularly face academy teams from Irish League clubs. Coach Neil Corr said the players have been together since childhood and have shown dedication and resilience.

Unlike larger academies, Belfast Celtic relies on public parks and leisure centre pitches. To ease the financial burden on working-class families, the club is offering a sponsor-a-player scheme at £50 per child. The funds will cover transport, three nights’ accommodation, food, training equipment and activities during the tournament.

Corr acknowledged existing backers for their support with kits and equipment: O’Neill’s Funeral Directors, Damien’s Spar on the Whiterock, Future Focused Financial and First Class Blinds and Shutters.

The club’s fundraising target is £800. Interested businesses can contact Neil Corr by email at neilcorr@googlemail.com.