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This year’s Desy Jennings Football Festival saw over 1,000 young players and 80 teams light up the pitch, with skill, sportsmanship, and plenty of excitement on display.
The community festival raised an amazing total of £5,100 for NICHS, supporting vital heart and stroke services in the community.
Members of the Desy Jennings Football Festival presented a cheque for £5,100 to Sarah Herron from Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS) following the success of this year’s Football Festival held in Jennings Park from 5- 8 June.
The four-night event brought together over 1,000 young people and 80 teams from across Ireland. Now in its third year, the tournament included a dedicated girls’ competition for the first time, reflecting the growing popularity of the sport.
Organiser Marty Jennings said: “We are delighted with how the festival has grown. The standard of skill and sportsmanship shown by the young players was outstanding, and it was especially poignant to see several memorial cups played in memory of much-loved local people. To raise such a fantastic amount for NICHS is something we are very proud of. The funds will help support vital services such as cardiac rehabilitation, family support, and research into heart and stroke conditions, making a real difference to lives here in Northern Ireland. Introducing the girls’ tournament was a real highlight, and we’re excited to build on this success for the future.”
Organisers are already planning for next year’s festival, which will run from 4–7 June 2026, and promise it will be even bigger and better, with more teams and activities to enjoy.
