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Barnabas Cup returns to Castlederg Parish

 


Revd Peter Ferguson (left) Captain of Derg Parish team with Henry Robinson.


The Barnabas Cup, a 7-a-side football competition which combines sport with faith, was held for the sixth year on Thursday, 13 June at the Fisher Park 3G pitch at Ballinamallard United F.C. in Clogher Diocese.

The competition was initiated by Archdeacon Brian Harper, Chaplain to Ballinamallard F.C., to be held on a date close to the Feast Day of St. Barnabas on 11 June.

This year’s competition organised by Gordon Lee attracted 11 teams from a wide range of churches including the hosts, Magheracross Parish, Ballinamallard as well as Aghavea Parish, near Brookeborough; two teams from Dromore Parish, Aghadrumsee Parish, near Rosslea; Irvinestown Independent Methodist Church, Fermanagh Christian Fellowship, Enniskillen Presbyterian Church and three teams from the Castlederg area; Derg Parish Church, Castlederg Methodist Church and Castlederg Presbyterian Church.

Following 25 games played across two groups there were four semi-finalists; Castlederg Parish (winners group A) V Dromore Parish (Runners-up Group B) and Magheracross Parish (Winners group B) V Castlederg Methodist (Runners-up group A). Castlederg Parish beat Dromore Parish 1-0 in the first semi-final and Castlederg Methodist beat Magheracross on penalties after drawing 0-0 in another very close match. This resulted in two Castlederg teams in the final and after a very close contest, Castlederg Parish captained by their Rector, Revd. Peter Ferguson beat Castlederg Methodist 1-0 to win the 2019 Barnabas Cup for the third time in four years.


Play continues at Fisher Park Ballinamallard for the Barnabas Cup (in the foreground).

Revd Ferguson received the Barnabas Cup from Henry Robinson, representing Magheracross Parish.

During a break halfway through the competition, Jonathan Harper, a son of Archdeacon Harper, gave a biblical talk, using as his theme the success of Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, who spearheaded the team to win this year’s Champion’s League.

Jonathan spoke of Jurgen Klopp’s faith as a Christian and went on to say that despite the adulation of thousands of fans, an audience of one with God was sufficient to bring comfort and happiness to our lives.


The winning Derg Parish football team.