Few families will remember the 2026 O’Neills Foyle Cup quite like the Burns family.
While thousands of players have been making memories on pitches across the North West this week, Father Davie Burns and his children Carly and Kyle have been creating some of their own with whistles in hand.
The trio not only spent the week officiating at one of the world’s leading youth football tournaments but also shared the honour of refereeing two matches together, a moment that meant more than any of them imagined.
For Davie, who has spent 16 years as a referee and is now an assistant referee in the Northern Ireland Football League, it was a proud family milestone.
“Tuesday night’s game between Carndonagh and Limavady United was the first time all three of us officiated together and it was a brilliant experience,” he said.
“Carly and I had already done our first Women’s Premiership game together earlier this season, but this was the first time all three of us had the chance to be involved.
“When Kyle took up refereeing, I always hoped we’d get the opportunity to do a game together. I’m really grateful to the O’Neills Foyle Cup for making that possible and hopefully there will be plenty more to come.
“On Thursday night it was a bit of a role reversal because Carly was in the middle while Kyle and I were running the line. Mum came along to watch us as well, which made it even more special.
“The communication between the three of us was excellent. At this level you don’t have communication systems, so you’re relying on eye contact and understanding each other.
Thankfully everything went really well and the coaches were complimentary afterwards.”
Originally from Scotland, Davie continued his refereeing career after moving to Northern Ireland several years ago. It wasn’t long before his passion for officiating rubbed off on his children.
For Carly, refereeing became her route into football.
“I was a dancer, but after we moved over from Scotland I started taking more of an interest in football,” she said.
“I knew I wasn’t going to make it as a player, so refereeing became my way into the game. I’ve been doing it for four years now and I absolutely love it.”
Kyle’s introduction followed a similar path.
“I was exactly the same,” he laughed.
“I enjoyed playing football but I wasn’t very good, so I thought I’d give refereeing a go instead.”
Having an experienced official at home has given both teenagers a valuable sounding board as they continue to develop.
“You have to deal with criticism from players, coaches and spectators,” said Kyle.
“Dad is always there afterwards to give us constructive feedback and help us improve.”
Carly believes learning to manage those moments is simply part of becoming a good referee.
“If it’s a coach, you manage it. If it’s spectators, you try to ignore it because there’s not much you can do.
“If you enjoy refereeing, all of that is worth it.”
Now in his third O’Neills Foyle Cup alongside Carly and his first alongside Kyle, Davie believes the tournament offers young officials an invaluable opportunity to develop both on and off the pitch.
“It’s brilliant,” he said.
“The football is obviously important, but it’s everything else that comes with it as well.
“You’re working with referees from different backgrounds and different countries, learning how they communicate and how they approach games.
“The camaraderie is fantastic too. If someone’s had a difficult match, there’s always another referee willing to help them or offer advice.
“For those of us with a bit more experience, it’s also rewarding to pass on what we’ve learned and hopefully help young referees progress, whatever level they want to reach.”
This year’s tournament has brought together match officials from eight different countries, creating an environment where young referees can learn from one another while building friendships that extend well beyond tournament week.
There is also plenty of friendly rivalry within the Burns household.
“My aim is just to get to a higher level than Carly,” Kyle joked.
“No, seriously, there are so many opportunities for young people. You get to stay involved in football, meet new people and earn a bit of money at the same time.”
Carly, who recently formed part of the officiating team for the Clearer Water Irish Cup Women’s Final between Cliftonville and Glentoran, hopes her own journey encourages more girls to consider picking up the whistle.
“Everyone keeps telling me the world is my oyster because of the opportunities in the women’s game,” she said.
“It feels like I’m getting more and more big games now, which is really exciting.
“If young girls feel there’s no pathway for them in football as players, there absolutely is one through refereeing.
“Don’t let the thought of criticism put you off. If you enjoy it, it’s one of the most rewarding things you can do.”
For Davie, the benefits stretch far beyond football itself.
“Refereeing teaches communication, confidence and people management,” he said.
“You’re not just managing players. You’re managing coaches, dealing with pressure and making decisions every few seconds.
“They’re skills that help you throughout life.
“Watching Carly and Kyle develop as referees has made me incredibly proud, but sharing the pitch with both of them at the O’Neills Foyle Cup is something our family will never forget.”
The 2026 O’Neills Foyle Cup draws to a close on Saturday following another memorable week of football across the North West, with more than 20,000 players, coaches and officials taking part in the six-day tournament.
A record 1,013 teams from across Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe and North America have competed across boys’, girls’ and disability categories from Under-8 to Under-19 level, with 3,942 matches staged at more than 60 venues throughout Derry/Londonderry, Strabane, Limavady, Claudy, Greysteel, Coleraine, Dungiven, Castledawson, Inishowen and Donegal.
More than 200,000 spectators are expected to attend during tournament week, delivering a significant boost to the regional economy through tourism, hospitality, retail and visitor spending.
For more information on the O’Neills Foyle Cup visit www.foylecup.com.
