County Antrim’s hopes of winning a fourth Boys’ Junior title at the Budget Energy SuperCupNI were ended by Plymouth Argyle as the English side claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory to set up a final showdown with St Patrick’s Athletic.
The Dublin outfit reached the Boys’ Junior Cup final for the first time after edging past 2024 runners-up County Down 1-0 in a closely contested semi-final at Bushmills.
At the Riada Stadium, County Antrim made the perfect start when Ryland Perry fired them into an eighth-minute lead.
Keagan O’Connor continued his impressive tournament by causing problems down the left-hand side and almost doubled the lead on 20 minutes, forcing a smart save from the Plymouth goalkeeper after arriving at the back post.
Antrim threatened again before the break when O’Connor’s corner caused chaos in the box, with Taylor Magee seeing his close-range effort blocked, before Cuan Carmichael clipped the crossbar with a curling free-kick in first-half stoppage time.
The game burst into life after the restart as Plymouth drew level when Freddie Thatcher’s cross found the net.
The Pilgrims turned the game on its head on 50 minutes as Will Harris’ dangerous delivery ended up in the net following a goalmouth scramble, before Thatcher struck again just two minutes later with an excellent touch and finish to make it 3-1.
County Antrim pulled one back late on, but it wasn’t enough to keep their hopes alive as Plymouth held on to book their place in Friday’s final.
There was just a single goal in the other semi-final at Bushmills, but it proved enough to send St Patrick’s Athletic through.
After chances at both ends, Adrian Captari struck the decisive goal on 19 minutes.
County Down almost levelled a minute before the break, but Ryan Reddy produced an outstanding save to keep out a powerful header.
St Pat’s controlled much of the second half, although Reddy was called into action again with eight minutes remaining to deny Josh King and preserve his side’s narrow advantage.
Celtic needed penalties to overcome County Londonderry in the Globe semi-final at Parker Avenue after the game finished 2-2.
The Glasgow side prevailed 5-3 in the shootout and will now meet Leeds United in the final after the Yorkshire side recorded a 6-3 victory over West Ham United.
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Budget Energy Supercup Minor semi final match between Portadown and Linfield at Anderson Park Coleraine
Portadown’s Alfie Houston
Mandatory Credit – Stephen Hamilton/Presseye
County Fermanagh booked their place in the Vase final with a convincing 4-1 victory over Helsingor at Anderson Park and will face Tottenham Hotspur, who defeated Blackburn Rovers on penalties after a remarkable 5-5 draw.
Charlton Athletic powered into the Bowl final with a 6-1 victory over County Armagh and will meet County Tyrone, who overcame Chicago City 2-1.
Linfield will face Ballymena United in their third consecutive Boys’ Minor Cup final after both semi-finals were decided by penalty shootouts.
A packed Anderson Park witnessed a dramatic encounter between Portadown and Linfield.
The Blues almost made the perfect start when Caleb Stewart rattled the crossbar with a free-kick after just two minutes before Harri Niblock tested Max Robertson, who produced an excellent save.
Portadown took the lead on 19 minutes when Braxton Mustoe rose highest to head home a deep free-kick beyond Jacob Nelson.
Robertson was in inspired form before the break, reacting brilliantly to push away Rueben Caswell’s deflected cross and preserve his side’s advantage.
Linfield drew level just three minutes into the second half when Caodhan Moore capitalised on a defensive slip to slot home.
Portadown restored their lead within four minutes as Max Murdock teed up James Toland to head home despite Nelson’s best efforts.
But the Blues responded once more, with Jack Nendrick finishing smartly at the back post on 42 minutes to make it 2-2.
Linfield had a golden chance to win it with three minutes remaining when Louis Campbell was brought down in the box and stepped up to take the penalty himself, but Robertson produced a superb double save to force a shootout.
The drama continued from the spot. After Rueben Caswell fired over, Portadown had the chance to secure victory with their fifth penalty, only for Alfie Houston to miss.
The contest went to sudden death, where Campbell made amends for his earlier miss before Linfield goalkeeper Sloan saved from Oliver Malcomson to send the Blues into another Minor Cup final.
Penalties were also required at Limavady Showgrounds, where holders Cliftonville were denied a return to the final by Ballymena United.
After a goalless first half, Archie Muir gave the Sky Blues the lead before Mason Madeen equalised for Cliftonville.
Neither side could find a winner in normal time and Ballymena held their nerve from the penalty spot to progress 5-4.
Rosario YC will meet Newell Academy in the Globe final after victories over Ross County and Glenavon respectively.
Blackburn Rovers secured their place in the Vase final with a 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock and will face newcomers Al Jazira, who edged past fellow newcomers Atlas FC 1-0.
Helsingor and Surf Select will contest the Bowl final after overcoming Maiden City and Chicago City respectively.
Boys’ Junior Section Results (Thursday 30th July 2026)
SuperCupNI Cup semi-finals
- County Down 0-1 St Patrick’s Athletic
- County Antrim 2-3 Plymouth Argyle
Globe semi-finals
- Celtic 2-2 County Londonderry (Celtic won 5-3 on penalties)
- Leeds United 6-3 West Ham United
Vase semi-finals
- Helsingor 1-4 County Fermanagh
- Blackburn Rovers 5-5 Tottenham Hotspur (Tottenham won 5-3 on penalties)
Bowl semi-finals
- County Armagh 1-6 Charlton Athletic
- County Tyrone 2-1 Chicago City
Boys’ Minor Section Results (Thursday 30th July 2026)
SuperCupNI Cup semi-finals
- Portadown 2-2 Linfield (Linfield won 5-4 on penalties)
- Ballymena United 1-1 Cliftonville (Ballymena United won 5-4 on penalties)
Globe semi-finals
- Rosario YC 4-0 Ross County
- Glenavon 0-3 Newell Academy
Vase semi-finals
- Kilmarnock 1-4 Blackburn Rovers
- Atlas FC 0-1 Al Jazira
Bowl semi-finals
- Helsingor 3-1 Maiden City
- Chicago City 0-4 Surf Select
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
