Football Clubs Utd (NI)
Report 2025
Training and coaching
The home nations tournament was held in Bridgend, South Wales on Saturday 2 August 2025. Our group travelled to Wales on Friday 1* August and returned on Monday 4°" August 2025
Training sessions were held in Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newry on a monthly basis with 14 players, male and female, of mixed ability levels and from various clubs and organisations. We had used social media outlets and flyers sent to all clubs advising of our plans for the incoming year.
It was agreed to move the monthly sessions to various locations to make it more amenable to everyone. Each session lasted 2 hours and involved various drills which included basic skills of ball control, passing, heading, shooting and tackling. Most sessions finished with a game designed for the players to put into practice what they had learned from the skills training including one touch and two touch passing and movement.
The sessions focused on who suited each position, worked on defending and attacking, set plays and playing as a team. Advice and guidance was provided on healthy eating, and fitness improvement for each player.
Fundraising
The players all paid a contribution towards the trip and helped with organised fundraising — Two store collections and a night of the races. Newry Gateway club made a cash donation to our trip.
Wales Home Nations Trip
The total group of 20 players, coaches and volunteers travelled to Bridgend, South Wales on Friday 1' August and returned on Monday 4" August 2025. We stayed in a Days Inn near the ground where the tournament took place. The one day tournament took place on Friday 1 August and returned on Monday 4" August 2025.
We finished second in the tournament which included Wales 1 , Wales 2, England and Jersey.
First match
Northern Ireland - 1
England - 1
A great finish from Curtis Waters on the stroke of full time rescued a draw with tournament favourites England who had taken the lead with a lucky ricochet midway through the first half. Man of the match Bailey Pyper with some great saves and Noel Galbraith for some great defending.
Second match
Northern Ireland - 3 Wales 2
Northern Ireland raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to a couple ogreat finishes from Phillip McCartney but allowed Wales back into the game at 2-2 before the dependable Curtis Watters popped up with the winning goal firing home from a rebound from the keeper.
Man of the match Phillip McCartney with 2 brilliant goals and Curtis Watters for his work rate and then the winning goal
Game 3
Northern Ireland 0
Jersey. 4
The wheels really came off the wagon in this game. Jersey were deserving winners in this one. Northern Ireland were lack lustre and just did not do themselves justice.
Game 4
Northern Ireland 3
Wales 2- 0
Back to winning ways with a convincing win over Wales 2. A great strike from Michael Corrigan either side of 2 great goals from Phillip McCartney were enough to get us the win Player of the match- both strikers Michael and Phillip
Finished runner-up Home nations 2025.
Only team to take a point of this year’s champions England.
Overall our players were a credit to themselves, their families, clubs and to Northern Ireland as a whole. Their conduct on and off the pitch was exemplary at all times and they returned home as winners.
Thanks
Football Clubs Utd (NI) would like to thank Mark Summers and his team for organising a fantastic tournament- Thanks to Richard for the hospitality - second to none- Thanks to Eamon Rooney coach hire and our friend Joa our driver - nothing was to much problem for Joa
Most importantly thanks to our players who are just an incredible bunch of young people- they are a credit to themselves- their families and their clubs.
We would like to thank players families, carers, volunteers and all our sponsors for making this trip possible but most importantly a huge thanks to our players for their dedication and commitment during the year
Stephen Lenaghan Chairperson 30/9/2025