Growing up in Limavady, the Budget Energy SuperCupNI played a big part in the teenage years of Ruairi McClean.
The former Institute midfielder played in the tournament three times for Co Londonderry and Northern Ireland, featuring alongside future internationals Steven Davis, Chris Brunt, Sammy Clingan and Michael McGovern.
Now McClean is back and hoping to help shape the future of the latest young stars to emerge from his county, and he is relishing the challenge ahead as a coach.
“I was fortunate enough as a player to play in it three times, so it’s lovely to be in a position now to come back and try to help the county players this year have a good experience,” said McClean, who has taken on the role of Assistant Manager with the Co Londonderry Premier squad.
“Walking through the streets of Coleraine and into The Showgrounds during the parade took me back all those years to when I was a player.
“You can see the pride in the family members as their sons and daughters are walking by. It takes me back. It hasn’t changed much and it’s just a lovely event. I know it’s an event that the people in this area are extremely proud of.
“It’s unbelievable when you see the calibre of teams here consistently, year in, year out, and it shows the appeal of the tournament. You’ve got teams from every continent across the world coming to enjoy it, which is brilliant.
“From a coaching perspective, I’m really looking forward to seeing how we get on against different styles of play as we’re up against Tigres, last year’s winners Southampton and Iconz Elite.”
Co Londonderry created history in 2023 when they became the first county side to win the Premier section, and McClean praised the local teams for the hard work they have put in over recent years to regularly compete with some of the world’s leading academies.
“It’s my first experience of it this year and I’ve been blown away by the time and effort put in at committee level and by the coaching staff,” he said.
“Things are done properly right from the first trial through to trying to get the strongest squad possible, and I think it’s reflected now in the performances of the county teams in the tournament.
“This tournament provides a big opportunity for every player. We’ve got some youth internationals in our team and I’ve no doubt there will be scouts from across the water watching games.
“It’s brilliant that they’re being watched, but we don’t want that to overshadow the experience. It’s about enjoying it with their club mates, the boys they’ve grown up with, playing alongside and against. If they get the opportunity to go on to the next level, then brilliant.
“This is a week they will always remember. Chris Brunt said he still remembers the tournament despite playing at the highest level of the game, and that’s what it’s all about.”
McClean has already enjoyed success coaching at youth level, leading Millburn Primary School in Coleraine, where he is Vice-Principal, to four trophies this year – the Doherty Cup, the Mullan Cup, the NI Cup and the Causeway Sports Cup.
And he knows that if he ever needs advice along the way, he can always call on good friend Ruaidhri Higgins, manager of Coleraine FC.
“We talk regularly and I bounce things off him from time to time,” said McClean. “He’s my best friend and, when we do have our conversations, I try not to make it all about football because I know how intense the job he’s in is. But if I ever need advice, I know he’s on the end of the phone.
“I really enjoy coaching. Obviously, I’ve experienced great success with the school team in recent years. I love working with young players and trying to help them fulfil their potential, and it’s something that really interests me.
“Maybe not right now as a father of four young children, but football has been a massive part of my life and it’s definitely something I’d like to stay involved in going forward.”
The 2026 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is proudly supported by headline partner Budget Energy, alongside a valued network of partners including Tourism NI, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, KLIR, IDS Accountants, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.TV and BuyTicketApp.
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI, visit www.supercupni.com
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
AY.
Russell Lever
Mob: 07841676976
Email: russell@ay.studio
