Chairman Gets in the Game with Announcement of New Football Tournament

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin has just announced the first of his charity fundraiser events, the Chairman’s Be Active Cup Junior and Senior Football Tournaments. 

The senior tournament will be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland which will bring sixteen teams from various leagues across the district together to compete for the champion title - winner of the Chairman’s Be Active Cup.

As part of its Community Fun Day at Tollymore Football Club, Newcastle on 29 July, the Irish Football Association (IFA) Grass Roots Programme will run a mini football competition. From this competition they will identify two teams, one which will represent legacy Newry and Mourne District Council and the other to represent legacy Down District Council; these teams will play each other for the Junior Be Active Trophy before the Senior final on 1 August at Newry Showgrounds.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairman, Councillor Mark Murnin said, “I am delighted to launch this football tournament, which incorporates many of my aspirations for the incoming year, in particular, linking communities throughout the district through health and wellbeing. The competition also supports the Council’s new ‘Be Active’ campaign which was launched last autumn, providing a fresh approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle, combining physical activity and recreation activities to encourage a healthier way of living.

“The tournament has been specially developed to provide a platform for football teams, young and old and for all abilities from across the district to play competitive sport. It will bring over 250 footballers together and afford them the opportunity to compete with neighbouring teams from other leagues.” 

He concluded, “As well as providing an opportunity to link communities and promote health and wellbeing, the event will raise money for my chosen charities, Glebe House, Northern Ireland Air Ambulance, and Newry and District Gateway Club. I want to encourage everyone to come out and show their support for all the teams participating in the tournament.”

Andy Waterworth, IFA Outreach and Volunteer Officer said, “I am delighted that Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has taken a positive step towards encouraging teams from across the Newcastle, Mid Ulster, Carnbane, Amateur, and Intermediate Leagues to come together through their passion for football.”

The venues for the games will be Jennings Park Newry, Kilmore Playing fields, Crossgar, and Newry Showgrounds where the final will be hosted by Newry City Football Club. 

Newry City Special Olympics team, which had tremendous success at the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games held recently in Dublin, will be mascots at the final and will display their talents with an interval match at half time.

The tournament starts on 23 July and finishes on 1 August. For more information and a list of fixtures and results for the tournament, visit newrymournedown.org and keep an eye on the Council’s social media pages during the coming weeks.