Sport
28 July, 2025
Legends, rivalry and Moriconi-Bomben Cup
IT’S back and bursting with Italian pride, rivalry and good old-fashioned football know-how.
The Cairns Italian Fiesta’s Moriconi-Bomben Cup kicks off this Saturday, in Mareeba.
The Cup, now in its third year, will be played at Borzi Park in Mareeba (Lindsay Australia Stadium), as the finale to a day of football between the Mareeba Bulls and the Leichhardt Lions clubs.
Starting with junior teams, the games will begin at 1pm and progress to the over 45s Local Legends Game at 5.30pm, before the FNQPL senior mens side kick off at 7.30pm.
Organiser Sandro Soncin said the tradition began as a tribute to the founders of both the Mareeba United Club and Leichhardt Club in Cairns, the late Alfio Moriconi and John Bomben, respectively.
Affectionately known as the two godfathers of football in the Far North, they were Italian immigrants who moved to Far North Qld, made it home, and harnessed their passionate Italian football communities into local clubs.
Both Alfio and John made significant contributions to the growth of the sport in the FNQ region. They served time with the former Soccer Far North board, and both were involved in the administration and growth of junior and senior football.
The Local Legends competing for this year’s Cup have drawn in some local stars to their sides, such as Louie Serafani, who is in his 60s, and the Srhoj brothers, for the Bulls, and the Lion’s Mario DeVechi, who is in his 50s.
The day will celebrate all things Italian with the canteen offering up traditional Italian fare, plenty of “good banter” from players and loyal fans in the crowd, and a bit of music at the Mareeba Clubhouse at 9pm, with the Jeremy Fletcher Band.
