Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Europa League finalists Rangers FC are among a 14 strong entry list for the Junior section of the 2022 STATSports SuperCupNI.
The 2020 STATSports Super Cup NI tournament may not start until next August but preparations in the County Down camp in Northern Ireland are well underway, with the managers’ of the Junior and Premier squads appointed.
Last year’s SuperCupNI Junior Section champions County Antrim suffered defeat at the hands of Mexican side Pumas Unam in their final group match, a result which has ended their hopes of retaining the title.
The Co.Tyrone junior side got their 2019 SuperCupNI campaign off to a brilliant start with a well-deserved victory over tournament debutants Bracknell Town.
County Down Junior manager Gary McAlister says the class of 2019 have the potential to be one of the strongest junior sides the county has produced in years.
County Armagh Junior manager Chris Chambers admitted his side are relishing the opportunity to take on Scottish giants Rangers on the opening night of the STATSports SuperCupNI.
Last year County Londonderry’s Juniors produced one of the biggest upsets in recent years when Lee Harkin inspired them to a famous 2-1 win over Manchester United at the Coleraine Showgrounds on opening night.
For the last two years the Junior section of the STATSports SuperCupNI has been dominated by the boys from County Antrim. And once again the holders will be hopeful of creating history this summer and becoming the first ever team to win three consecutive titles at the competition.
Norman Whiteside with Alan Clarke, CEO STATSports SuperCupNI.
Two of the biggest clubs in Europe will make their debuts at this summer’s STATSports SuperCupNI with Arsenal and Valencia CF signing up for the international youth tournament.
Celtic and Rangers have both signed up for the STATSports SuperCupNI.Celtic and Rangers have both signed up for the STATSports SuperCupNI.
Co Antrim held their nerve to beat Manchester United 5-4 on penalties in Friday’s final of the Super Cup NI Junior section in Ballymena.
Manchester United dented Club NI’s hopes of securing back to back semi-finals places in the Junior section at a packed Seahaven on Wednesday evening.
County Londonderry suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of a committed Club NI side at a packed Anderson Park on Tuesday evening.
Southampton’s junior side recovered from an early setback to record a 3-1 win over Strikers FC that puts them in with a superb chance of progressing to the semi final stage of the Super Cup NI.
Co Armagh’s junior side got their Super Cup NI campaign off to a superb start with a deserved victory over a talented Leeds Utd side in Portstewart.
County Tyrone suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of English Premier League academy side Southampton at Anderson Park on Monday afternoon in the Junior section.
2017 Junior champions County Antrim had to settle for a share of the spoils at a rain sodden Anderson Park on day one in the Junior section of the 2018 Super Cup NI.
The boys from the Lakeland County will take pole position at the parade and opening ceremony at the 2018 Super Cup NI.
County Londonderry Junior manager Marty Smith said his side are not there to make up the numbers as they take their place in Group A with Manchester United, Rangers FC and Club NI.
County Armagh are determined to go one step better than they did last year as they look to secure a place in the final four of the Junior section.
The 2017 Super Cup NI saw the boys from County Antrim create history, as they became the first county side to ever win the U15 Junior crown.
County Antrim became the first team ever from Northern Ireland to claim the SuperCupNI Junior Section as they beat American side GPS Bayern 2-0 in Friday’s showpiece at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
County Antrim booked their spot in the showpiece SuperCupNI Junior Section Final after a resounding 3-0 victory over Club NI. Antrim started the better of the two and could have went ahead inside the first minute when Carson Elliot linked up with Dylan Snodden before his effort was kept out by Terry Devlin.