McDonald’s Carryduff Staff Vying For Wembley Place

[/caption] The ‘McDonald’s Cup’ comprises staff football teams from across the UK and two Carryduff teams will be participating in the Belfast Regional Heat, which takes place on Tuesday 12^th April; one of the sides, Saintfield Sharpshooters, will be looking to reclaim their title having won the inaugural tournament in 2009.xa0 The winners then go on to represent Northern Ireland in a special finals day against staff teams from England, Scotland and Wales at the original home of football. And if the prospect of playing on the famous Wembley pitch doesn’t provide suitable motivation, the crew members have the added incentive of playing in front of goalkeeping legend and McDonald’s Head of Northern Ireland Football Pat Jennings, who will be presiding over the Belfast tournament. Commenting on the upcoming competition, Pat Jennings said,xa0“This will be the third year of the McDonald’s Cup which is a competitive and enjoyable tournament and one that has grown year on year.xa0 As the Official Community Partner of the IFA since 2002, McDonald’s has driven the development of grassroots football across Northern Ireland, for instance by creating over 500 new community coaches and we are committed to providing more football opportunities for all. “It is a special occasion to play at Wembley and when you consider that some of the greatest players in the game have never experienced it, this is a great incentive for all the staff teams involved.” The McDonald’s Cup forms part of McDonald’s and the IFA’s Community Partnership which drives grassroots football throughout Northern Ireland.xa0 An exciting new four year programme has been agreed to develop opportunities and strengthen structures that will leave a lasting legacy for grassroots football in Northern Ireland.xa0 The new programme will be officially launched in mid-April.]]>