Devlin Cup Brings North Belfast Together in Memory of Jamie Devlin

Two North Belfast friends have shared how the power of football helped them navigate profound grief following the loss of their best friend, Jamie Devlin, to suicide in 2022.

Struggling to come to terms with Jamie's passing, Callum Craig and Sean Loughran found solace in getting back onto the pitch. Football offered them a vital space to reconnect with mutual friends who shared their pain, leading to the creation of the annual Devlin Cup and their football club, GOAT FC. The team name stands for 'Get Out And Talk' and also honours Jamie's old Xbox gamertag, 'The Goat Bandit'.

Callum explained that while the tournament began around football, its true purpose quickly became about connection, conversation, and remembering Jamie. He emphasised that supporting one another does not always require intense conversations, but can be as simple as catching up over a coffee, playing a match, or checking in on a friend. Having personally benefited from counselling support with PIPS while dealing with anxiety, depression, and life as a single father, Callum is passionate about encouraging others to reach out.

Since its debut in 2023, the Devlin Cup has raised more than £10,000 for local suicide prevention and bereavement organisations. The latest tournament, hosted at Seaview Stadium on Saturday, 15 August, collected over £3,000 to support the life-saving work of PIPS and Lighthouse.

Alongside the matches, Callum and Sean have shared bereavement videos online that have reached thousands of viewers, reinforcing the message that it is always okay to talk, be vulnerable, and seek help. Donations can still be made online through their JustGiving crowdfunding page, with official Get Out And Talk FC merchandise also available through Bourke Sports.