Thomas McNamee with a roundup of all the action from the opening day fixtures of SuperCupNI 2024.
MINOR AND JUNIOR SECTION
In the Junior section, 2023 runner-up Antrim came out on the better end of a 9-goal thriller in Broughshane.
Both Jude Crawford for Antrim and Xavier Nosegbe of Blackburn helped themselves to two goals each in a pulsating affair that was decided by a single goal in a 5-4 thriller, with two of Antrim’s goals coming right at the death.
It was a decidedly less dramatic affair but still heralded an abundance of goals as Tyrone were comprehensive winners against DME from America.
One of the standout results of the day saw Fermanagh defeated Rangers 2-1 in front of a huge crowd at Bushmills with goals from Jay Ely and Kacper Ferens sealing a famous win. There was also defeat for the other half of the Old Firm, with Charlton impressing as they defeated Celtic 3-0. There were also wins for Down in an Ulster derby against Armagh, St Patrick’s Athletic against FC America and 2023 winners West Ham, who defeated Londonderry. Meanwhile, Stevenage and St Francis from Dublin played out a pulsating 2-2 draw!
In the Minor section, Glenavon and Stevenage played out a thriller as they shared 6 goals. It was Kudzai Mawele who took home the match ball by contributing with a hat-trick in a back-and-forth affair with two of his goals coming in the 47th and 52nd minutes.
Continuing with the stream of high scoring occasions. Crusaders produced an unstoppable attacking display as they blew Coleraine away with a hat-trick from Michael Mulholland and two from Finn Hegarty in a 9-1 win against Coleraine
Celtic of Scotland proved too strong much for their American rivals as they blew away the USSSA select side 5-2. Jude Colhoun grabbed a brace whilst Jaden Nish came off the bench to contribute with the final goal in what was a comprehensive display from the Glaswegians. Elsewhere Cliftonville were 4-2 winners against Ballymena United, Plymouth Argyle edged past IDA Bermuda, Kilmarnock triumphed against Surf Select and Loughgall downed Glentoran. Linfield were also big winners on day one, as they defeated Scottish newcomers Ross County 3-1.
PREMIER SECTION
Defending champions County Londonderry saw their 2024 tournament start with a defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion at a packed Coleraine Showgrounds.
Star of the show was Zebedee Lawson, who opened the scoring after he dashed past the Londonderry defence and produce a snapshot that the keeper could only parry straight to the feet of Cristiano Anah who tucked home from inches out. It was a day for the defenders of Brighton as full back Jackson Morby found himself on the end of a ricochet in the box to slam home a second. Despite being ahead, Brighton were very much under pressure for periods and credit has to go to ‘keeper Callum Furber who produced a number of smart stops and decisive claims to keep the Northern Ireland side at bay. A combination of this determined defending and perseverance going forward meant that Londonderry were able to muster a late fight back with Matthew Burns delivering a fine side foot finish into the top left corner in added time. An enthusiastic bench then cheered them on for one last charge at the Brighton rearguard but the Seagulls held on for the win.
In the 11am kick off there was a comprehensive win for Co. Down as they thrashed West Cork Academy by an impressive 8-0 scoreline. Down exploded out of the traps early on with an early goal following a scramble in the box that was tucked home by Oliver Peoples. Down’s playmaker Cal Weatherup was proving to be a constant thorn in West Cork’s side as he continued to beat the opposition defence and got his reward as he showed his strength first to win back possession and then slotted a neat side foot finish beyond the keeper for his side’s second. Down were relentless on the attack and were 5-0 up hitting the 30-minute mark with the pick of the goals from Stephen Kelly who produced an outside of the box screamer to cap off a fine rapid fire display.
Shay Reid’s smart finish and a piece of magic from Daire Trainor saw them run out easy winners.
Intercontinental FA were too much for their English counterparts to handle as two strikes from Jayel Goncalves, one just before the break and another ten minutes into the second half helped the Americans to a 3-1 victory over Skouted from Manchester. In the same group, Manchester United were 4-0 winners against Fermanagh in front of a large crowd at the Riada Stadium
In the all-county clash of the day, Antrim were defeated by ten-man Armagh and Dundalk Schoolboys played out a 1-1 draw with Inter CT. Shoshi from Japan were edged out by English outfit Middlesbrough, while Rangers were 2-0 winners against Tyrone. Hamilton Accies marked their first appearance at the tournament with a 4-0 win. The final result of the night was a comprehensive win for Mexican side Toluca against Barca Academy Dubai, as they ran out 4-0 winners in Limavady.
Words from Thomas McNamee