Co Antrim’s pursuit of a fourth Boys’ Junior title continues at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI as they marched on to the semi-finals following a 1-1 draw with Celtic at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
The Antrim boys knew a point would be enough to pip the Glasgow giants to top spot in Group B and so it proved as they move on to face Plymouth Argyle on Thursday.
But they had to do it the hard way after they were reduced to 10 men following Jools McCann’s dismissal three minutes before half-time.
The county side were already one-goal to the good after Riley McCreery fired them in front on 21 minutes sparking wild scenes of celebration in the stands, and it was just rewards after a bright start.
As we approached the break McCann was given his marching orders for hauling down Joel Drumah on the edge of the box.
Celtic came out with intent at the start of the second half as they took the game to Antrim, and the pressure finally told with 10 minutes to go when centre back Lucas Niven stepped forward before lashing home the equaliser
The Glasgow men kept pushing for a winner but in the second minute of additional time they too were reduced to 10 men as goalkeeper Dylan Taylor was stranded from his goal on a breakaway and he handled the ball to block a goal-bound shot.
Plymouth Argyle pipped Co Londonderry to a place in the SuperCupNI last four after they played out a 1-1 draw at the Riada Stadium in Group D.
Co Down will join them in the last four, where they will face St Pat’s, after a 2-2 draw with Leeds United at Seahaven with Oliver Prenter and John McElroy on target for the group toppers while Nono-Tima Tayron and Basheer Abdullah responded for the Premier League outfit, who drop into the Globe competition.
In the other game in Group A Danish newcomers Helsingor secured their place in the Vase last four, where they will face Co Fermanagh, thanks to a 1-1 draw with Co Armagh.
St Patrick’s Athletic remained on course for a third top four finish in a row as they topped Group C thanks to a 2-1 win over West Ham, who drop into the Globe Trophy and will face Leeds United.
Also in Group C Co Fermanagh picked up their first points as they beat Charlton Athletic 3-1 at Parker Avenue to secure a pot in the Vase competition. The Addicks now face Co Armagh in the Bowl semi-finals.
Tottenham Hotspur, also picked up their first victory as they ran out 5-1 winners over new boys Chicago City, who now move into the Bowl semi-finals to face Co Tyrone, who missed out on a place in the Vase semi-finals as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Blackburn Rovers, who now face Spurs.
Linfield set up a Boys’ Minor semi-final meeting with Portadown at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI after making it three wins from three thanks to a hard-fought victory over Surf Select in Kells.
The Blues spurned a great opportunity to break the deadlock inside one minute after Gideon Lower tripped Harri Niblock in the box, who dusted himself down but saw his spot kick saved by Hayden Beadell.
But the Striker would go on to have a big say in this game Surf Select grew into the game and went close to going in front on 14 minutes, but Ethan Esquivel blazed over from close range.
Beadell was called into action again on 21 minutes this time to field a powerful shot from Tom Lyness on the edge of the Surf Select penalty area.
The keeper then was off his line swiftly to deny Niblock again as the Linfield forward closed in on goal.
That was to prove vital as the Americans edged in from on 26 minutes thanks to a composed finish from Revere Thomas.
Thirty seconds into the second half the Blues were level as Niblock showed great technique to volley home from Lyness’ cross.
Four minutes later Niblock showed his class once again as he fired Linfield in front from a tight angle.
Surf Select were still posing a threat going forward with Esquivel breaking from his own half before drawing a good save out of Noah Sloan on the 45-minute mark.
Surf Select tied things up again with 10 minutes to go through, but the Blues kept pushing and secured the win late on as Odhran McGarrity bagged his second of the tournament to make it 3-2.
Portadown maintained their 100% record to seal top spot in Group B thanks to a 6-1 win over Chicago City at The Warren.
Ballymena United topped Group A with nine points thanks to a 1-0 win over Atlas FC at The Warren to set up a semi-final meeting with Cliftonville.
The Reds also maintained their 100% record as they beat Ross County 3-0 in Kells to make it an all-Irish League contingent in the semi-finals.
Elsewhere in Group D Newell Academy secured their place in the Globe Trophy semis with Glenavon despite losing to Blackburn Rovers in Castlerock.
New boys Al Jazira and Maiden City played their final group game at Anderson Park with the honours finishing even at 1-1.
It was an even enough opening 30 minutes with both sides carving out half chances. The deadlock was finally broken by Al Jazira on 34 minutes as Yousof Magdi Ahmed Abdellhadi Eldib rose highest to head home after a cross had been nodded back across goal.
Two minutes before the end Maiden City drew level as substitute Tom McKeever won a penalty which he duly dispatched to earn his side a point.
Mid-Ulster rivals Glenavon move into the Globe Trophy to face Newell Academy after securing second place thanks to a 3-1 win over Kilmarnock at Anderson Park.
Rosario YC made it back-to-back wins in Group A to secure a place in the Globe Trophy against Ross County thanks to a 3-0 win over Helsingor at Castlerock.
Boys’ Junior Section Results (Wednesday 29th July 2026)
Chicago City 1-5 Tottenham Hotspur
Charlton Athletic 1-3 Co Fermanagh
Co Down 2-2 Leeds United
Celtic 1-1 Co Antrim
Co Tyrone 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Co Londonderry
Co Armagh 1-1 Helsingor
St Patrick’s Athletic 2-1 West Ham
Boys’ Minor Section Results (Wednesday 29th July 2026)
Maiden City 1-1 Al Jazira
Portadown 6-1 Chicago City
Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Newell Academy
Linfield 3-2 Surf Select
Glenavon 3-1 Kilmarnock
Ballymena United 1-0 Atlas
Rosario YC 3-0 Helsingor
Cliftonville 3-0 Ross County
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, visit www.supercupni.com
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For further information please contact:
AY.
Russell Lever
Mob: 07841676976
Email: russell@ay.studio
