Healy gets SuperCup under way as Manchester United make comeback
Linfield boss says it's "an absolute privilege" as he kick-starts tournament
The 2017 Super Cup NI kicks off today - marking the 35th anniversary of the prestigious event. Downtown & Cool FM reporter AARON O'NEILL is there for us.
The youth football tournament is set to run from 22-28 July and provides young players with the chance to profile themselves in one of the best youth football tournaments in the world.
The first round of fixtures gets underway on Saturday when Northern Ireland and Wales Under-19 women’s teams meet at the Ballymena Showgrounds with kick-off scheduled for 2.30pm.
The second fixture of the day takes place at the Showgrounds in Coleraine where Northern Ireland U18’s face-off against the bright stars of the Manchester United U18’s, with a 5pm kick-off.
The opening ceremony witnessed a host of teams, officials, referees and organisers parading through the streets of Coleraine. The climax of the opening ceremony took place at the Showgrounds, which declares the event open.
Guest of honour was Linfield boss and Northern Ireland legend David Healy who said it was “an absolute privilege” to be asked open the event.
Healy played for both Manchester United and Northern Ireland in the tournament.
He said he was delighted that United had returned to the tournament for the first time since 2014.
The Red Devils have enjoyed a wealth of success in the past, having won the Premier Section of the tournament on no fewer than six occasions. Household names such as David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt are amongst some of the stars who have featured at the Super Cup NI in the past.
The event attracts top quality opposition from across the globe who travel to the event in search of success. However, a lot of the focus will be on the six home county teams competing at the tournament. Players from all of the county sides in Northern Ireland will compete for honours in both the Junior and Premier sections of the Super Cup NI.
Co. Armagh will be relishing their opening fixture as they prepare to face Scottish footballing giants, Rangers, in the Junior section. Co. Fermanagh entertain Manchester United on Tuesday in the standout fixture for the county sides whilst Co. Down prepare to take on Co. Antrim and Co. Londonderry and Co. Tyrone on Wednesday.
In the Premier section, Co. Antrim are again involved in the big fixture on the opening day as they prepare to face Newcastle United. The Magpies will be aiming for silverware at this year’s event, as they have not tasted success since 1989. There are a number of inter-county clashes throughout the Premier Section.
Co. Tyrone face Co. Antrim, Co. Fermanagh take on Co. Down whilst Co. Londonderry have a tough clash with Co. Armagh.
Matches in the Premier and Junior sections of the competition will be played across the North-West. The 2017 Super Cup NI concludes on Friday 28 July when the finals night will decide who will be victorious in both the Junior and Premier sections of this year’s event.
All information about this year’s event is available at the official Super Cup NI website: http://www.supercupni.com