Up to 4,000 people have taken part in the Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup Opening Parade through Derry city centre.
Hundreds braved the sweltering heat to line the route from Ebrington Square in the Waterside to Guildhall Square to cheer on the 200-plus teams who were accompanied by coaches, officials, family members and supporters.
Due to safety requirements on the Peace Bridge, the parade was split into two sections, the first half led by Buncrana Accordion Band with the second by lone piper William Robb.
After parading over the Peace Bridge and along Foyle Embankment, Orchard Street, Ferryquay Street and Shipquay Street, the parade was greeted on its arrival in Guildhall Square by Deputy Mayor of Derry, Alderman Gary Middleton, who congratulated the organisers of the tournament which has this year attracted over 220 teams, its biggest ever entry.
Teams are competing at under-10, under-11, under-12, under-13, under-13 girls, under-15, under-16, under-17, under-19 and ladies categories at venues across the North West, including Derry, Strabane, Limavady, Dungiven, Eglinton, Greysteel, Killea, St Johnstone, Buncrana, Cockhill, Moville, Greencastle and Burt.
The competition kicked off yesterday and continues this afternoon with the first games kicking off at 1.15pm.
Pick of today’s matches are Don Boscos v Glentoran FC in the under-10 category (2.00pm, Vale Centre, Faughanvale), Coleraine FC v Sheffield United (under-13, 5.00pm, Brandywell Showgrounds), Partick Thistle v Fanad United (under-19, 7.00pm, Drumkeen) and Derry City v Inishowen Youth League (under-19, 7.00pm, Maginn Park, Buncrana).
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