• The tournament shall be known as the ONeills Foyle Cup.
• All players participating must comply with the following restrictions with respect to their date of birth. Any team found to contain an overage player or players will automatically forfeit all games in which the player(s) took part by a default  scoreline of 2-0.  Committee reserve right to further punish rule breakers. The referee’s match card will be the sole record as to whether a player took part in any specific match.  The age restrictions for 2025 are:

• Each player must have proof of his or her date of birth available at all times throughout the tournament. It must be available for inspection upon request by the Management Committee.  If the document is not available within a reasonable period of time (2 hours is normally deemed reasonable) then it will be automatically assumed that a player or players are overage and results will be amended in accordance with rule number 2.
• Squad sizes are strictly controlled. In mini soccer 7 v 7 competitions a maximum of 14 players may be registered.  In mini soccer under 9 v 9 competitions   a maximum of 16 players may be registered.  In 11 v 11 competitions a maximum of 20 players may be registered
• Any team playing players in excess of these limits will automatically forfeit the games in which those players took part by a default score of 2-0.
• Players MUST wear shirt numbers as per the registration form and use same number for duration of tournament.
• Players who become unavailable before 21st July,  after you have submitted names for the programme,  may be replaced.  To change them, just add their name to the Registration form you have to complete before each match.  Once a team has kicked off in their opening game, then no further changes are permitted. Any changes to team list after kick-off in first game will result in forfeiting the game in question by a score of 2-0 and any player wearing a different shirt number may result in same outcome.
• The ONeills Foyle Cup is open to all club or representative teams, and must be clubs affiliated to associations. The Organising Committee has sole discretion and responsibility to accept or reject any application to compete in the competition.
• By kicking off in opening game, all teams automatically accept all tournament rules and the decisions made by the Organising Committee for the duration of the tournament. These decisions are wide ranging and include logistics such as amended kick off times or venues, as well as disciplinary sanctions.
• Applications for 2025 ONeills Foyle Cup shall be submitted in accordance with application form and associated process as available from Foyle Cup website. The entry fee is £175 per team entered.  Girls’ entries at 9/10/11/12/ 13 are £150. Girls entries Under 14/15/16 is £175
• Each team is required to notify the Organising Committee as to whether they will be staying in accommodation locally or if they will be travelling to and from games each day. Teams staying in local accommodation may liaise with Organising Committee to find out about availability in various lodgings.  Only accommodation in the University of Ulster Halls of Residence is bookable via the Organising Committee.
• The tournament format shall be as per tournament schedule which will be published on Foyle Cup website. Normally each age group will consist of group games followed by knockout games in various classifications, based on final position in the groups.  All teams will continue to play classification games in accordance with tournament schedule, even if defeated in a knockout game.
• In Group stage games, 3 points will be awarded for a win and 1 point for a draw. 0 points are awarded for a defeat.
• In the event of 2 teams ending the group on the same number of points the factors to determine which team finished higher in group will be in order of application:
• Result between the two teams
• Goal Conceded overall in Section . (We use this criteria as we will not record results  greater than a 5 goal differential).
• Fair Play – team with lowest number of points where a caution = 1 point and a dismissal = 3 points.
• Drawing of Lots. Lots will be publically drawn in tournament office 2 hours after official kick off time of the final round of games.
• In the event of 3 or more teams ending the group on the same number of points then the factors to determine which team finished higher in group will be in order of application:
• No of Goals conceded in Section. (We use this criteria as we will not record results  greater than a 5 goal differential).
• Fair Play – team with lowest number of points where a caution = 1 point and a dismissal = 3 points.
• Drawing of Lots. Lots will be publically drawn in tournament office 2 hours after official kick off time of the final round of games.

In the event of us  having to determine which group winners should progress in a competition eg 5 group winners have the same number of points but only 4 may progress to a semi final- the following criteria will be used-

No of Goals conceded in Section. (We use this criteria as we will not record results  greater than a 5 goal differential).

Fair Play – team with lowest number of points where a caution = 1 point and a dismissal = 3 points.

Drawing of Lots.  Lots will be publically drawn in tournament office 2 hours after official kick off time of the final round of games.

• If any game in the knockout stages of the tournament ends in a draw then the result will be decided by penalty kicks in accordance with the Laws of the Game.
• The duration of matches will be as follows:

• The following regulations shall apply to match days.
• All matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game as laid down by the International Football Association. Any Law changes which are applicable as of July 1^st shall be applicable.
• Teams must have adequate Insurance cover in respect of participation at this Tournament. Teams entering the  Foyle Cup accept that the organisers accept no responsibility for personal injury or loss as a result of participation in the  Foyle Cup tournament. Taking the field in their opening game is seen to represent acceptance of this rule.
• All matches will be officiated by qualified and registered referees who are registered with a National Referees’ Association as of July 21 2025. All appointments will be made by a Referees’ Committee appointed by the Organising Committee and they will have sole discretion with respect to appointments for all games.
• Teams are required to be at a venue minimum of 20 minutes prior to kick off.
• Under 8, 9,10, 11 , 12, 13 shall use a size 4 football as provided by Organising Committee.
• Under 14 and above shall use a size 5 football as provided by Organising Committee. Unlimited substitutions (rolling substitutes) allowed at Under 9 / 10 & 11 and girls Mini Soccer. Referee must be informed before any substitution made.
• In Mini soccer matches 7 rolling subs are permitted.
• In 11 v 11 matches 5 named substitutes may be used and only these named subs can be rolling subs.
• A completed team list must be handed to referee prior to every game. Team sheet will be available for download on website foylecup.com
• Individual players can only play with one designated team in the same age group. (I.e.no movement of players within an age group competition but a player can play with another age group (older) for their club. (i.e., a player registered for to play under 10 can play under 11).
• Teams must have 2 sets of shirts available at every game. If agreement cannot be made between relevant managers with respect to colour clashes, then the right to play in first choice of kit shall be decided by toss of coin by a match official.
• Games will be played at designated venues in counties Derry, Tyrone and Donegal. The majority of venues are in Derry City.  All venues and directions should be available on Foyle Cup website from end June 2025.
• Tournament programme is the official record with respect to venue and kick off time information. However, teams should double check, fixtures on website, especially when  the knockout stages are reached, teams are required on the official website/ app for official confirmation of their venue and kick off time.  Changes are sometimes required for logistical reasons and are at sole discretion of Management Committee.
• Discipline & Control. The following regulations apply.
• The Referees’ Committee is authorised by the Organising Committee to have sole authority with respect to Discipline & Control and any necessary sanctions against players, officials or teams at the tournament.
• The Referees’ Committee will receive a report from match referee with respect to all dismissals and /or serious disciplinary incidents in a game and shall have authority to extend any suspension. The maximum sanction against a player is expulsion from the remainder of the competition. The maximum sanction against a team is expulsion from the remainder of the tournament and/or a recommendation that team does not compete in 2026 competition.
• Any player dismissed by the referee in the game will be automatically suspended from taking part in his or her team’s next match in the tournament. Teams should accept this suspension is automatic as per FIFA regulations and they may not necessarily be notified by Organising Committee. If a lengthier suspension is recommended by Referees’ Committee then a team will be notified at earliest possible opportunity.
• Any player cautioned in 2 different matches will be suspended from the game following the second caution. This is automatic and teams should not expect to be notified.  The only exception to this rule is as follows:
• After Section matches, all cautions will be scratched.
• Any team fielding a player who should have been suspended in accordance with the conditions listed in 14c & 14d shall automatically forfeit game by a default scoreline of 2-0.
• The Organising Committee reserves the right to refer any serious incidents of misconduct by players, officials, spectators to the Irish Football Association Disciplinary Committee  for further consideration.  Where applicable the Irish Football Association shall refer the report to the National Association of clubs not resident in Northern Ireland.
• All teams have the right of protest against any team they suspect are in violation of rules 2 and / or 14 – namely the use of overage players or the fielding of suspended players. Protests must be in accordance with the following process and any deviation will result in a protest being rejected and any deposit lost.
• All protests must be made in writing on club headed paper.
• Protests must be received at tournament office no later than 2.5 hours after published kickoff time. (e.g. If a game is scheduled to kickoff at 5pm then the protest must be received by 7:30pm) E mails and faxes are acceptable only if authorised by Organising Committee due to the match in question being played at a venue greater than 25 miles from tournament office.  Authorisation will be given if team telephones tournament office.
• In mini soccer, protests relating to knockout games and/or which may affect classification are not restricted to the 2.5 hour time limitation if the teams involved are due to play sooner. In these cases protests must be made sooner – at least 20 minutes before kickoff of next match and by telephone to tournament office initially.  Protest fee in this case should be given to a tournament referee at venue to allow protest to proceed or by Bacs transfer.
• All protests must be accompanied by a deposit of £50 STG (€65). Deposit will only be refunded if a protest is successfully upheld by the Disciplinary Committee – which will be the Referees’ Committee. The Committee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed.
• Winners in all classification tournaments shall receive trophies as well as    medals for players listed on official match cards.
• The Competition Committee reserves the right to carry out checks on individual players during the competition to verify age eligibility.
• All referees used in the competition will be neutral and the referee’s decision is final in relation to match related activity.
• Any question of interpretation or any other matter not specifically covered by these rules will be determined by the Organising Committee on an ongoing basis and teams will be notified by appropriate means – normally via tournament website and/or social media channels.
• Pitch Goal Sizes.

In mini soccer matches 7 v 7 will be played on pitches minimum size of 55 yards  x 35 yards. Goal sizes in 7 v 7 matches will 12 x 6;

In mini soccer matches 9 v 9, will be played on pitches, minimum size 80 yards x 50 yards. In  9 v 9, goal sizes will be 16 x 7.

In all 11 v 11 matches, pitch sizes are as prescribed by Council or Venue provider.

WE STRONGLY REQUEST THAT ALL MANAGERS AND SUPPORTERS REFRAIN FROM SHOWING POOR EXAMPLE TO ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYING OR ATTENDING THE FOYLE CUP  TOURNAMENT  – NO  USING FOUL LANGUAGE OR SHOUTING ABUSE AT REFEREES, MANAGERS, PLAYERS, SUPPORTERS, OR TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS.

THE REFEREES DECISION IS FINAL, PLEASE ENSURE RESPECT IS GIVEN AT ALL STAGES THROUGHOUT THE TOURNAMENT, ANYONE FOUND DISRECPECTING OR ABUSING THE OFFICIALS WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE THE GROUNDS.

Some additional Rules  for Mini Soccer Games

Ÿ Kick  off at half-way line.

Ÿ Goalkeeper kick-out on the ground (when the ball goes wide)

Ÿ Goalkeeper cannot pick up a back pass. If he / she does this is punished with only time  indirect free kick  is allowed in match

Ÿ No offside rule. Ÿ No retreat line. Ÿ Throws-ins apply. Ÿ Corner-kicks apply.

Ÿ Direct free kicks only (6 yards).  Ÿ Yellow/red cards to apply.

Ÿ Red card= player sent off, misses next game.

Ÿ  All free kicks are direct free kicks  ( distance 6 yards).

Upto 7 substitutes may be used in any match and these can be rolling subs