Soccer

James Nesbitt launches SuperCupNI in Coleraine

LOCAL actor James Nesbitt launched the SuperCupNI at its spiritual home of the Coleraine Showgrounds on Sunday evening.

The Secret star launched the recently rebranded youth tournament at the home of his boyhood club Coleraine. The stands at the Showgrounds were packed to welcome both Nesbitt and the 46 clubs competing at this year's tournament. This will be the 33rd edition of the competition once known as the Milk Cup.

Nesbitt said; "It's a great honour for me to open the competition that has done so much for this area. I'm sure we will have another fantastic week of football."

The Junior and Premier competitions kick-off on Monday, with 23 games played across numerous venues across the north coast. The pick of Monday's games in the Junior Section (U15) sees Glasgow Rangers play County Armagh at the Coleraine Showgrounds (7.30pm), while holders Right To Dream face GPS at the same venue (3.30pm).

In the Premier section, there is a repeat of last year's final at Broughshane (5pm) between County Antrim and Mexican side Club American. Another big game sees Newcastle United play County Fermanagh at the Ballymena Showgrounds (7.30pm).

One trophy has already been handed out at this year's tournament. On Saturday evening, Everton beat Celtic 1-0 in the final of the inaugural U21 competition at the Ballymena Showgrounds. Both Everton and Celtic defeated Spanish opposition in the semi-finals on Thursday night, setting up the final.

In Saturday's final, Everton grabbed the lead in the 36th-minute when midfielder Harry Charsley collected the ball just outside the area, before unleashing a 20-yard effort that looped into the net. Charsley, a Republic of Ireland youth international, was the undoubted star of the U21 tournament.

Celtic's task was made even more difficult in the 60th minute, when they were reduced to 10 men. Defender Anthony Raleston received a straight red card when he caught Everton's Benny Beningamie in the neck with a dangerously high tackle. Ten-man Celtic were unable to find a way through in the final half-an-hour.

Everton manager David Unsworth was understandably delighted with his team's performance: "I'm very proud of this team, their work rate and effort have been fantastic this week. Fatigue sets in when you play two games in three days, but the boys dealt with it well to beat a good Celtic team," the former England international said.

"At Everton, we are very proud of your system. We have five or six youth products in the first team and this squad is capable of following in their footsteps."

Earlier in the day, Real Sociedad beat Espanyol in the third-place play-off. Sociedad were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Iker Garmedia and Ander Saenz, but goals from Alejandro Escribano and Marc Huguet made it 2-2.

However, Espanyol's comeback was in vain, as Sociedad won the shoot-out 4-3.

MONDAY'S FIXTURES


Junior: Plymouth Argyle v Alset (12pm, Clough); Derry v Cherry Orchard (12pm, Roe Mill); North Dublin v Antrim (12pm, Anderson Park, Coleraine); First Choice v Collina (12pm, the Warren, Portstewart); Southampton v Club Veracruz (1.30pm, Broughshane); Swindon Town v Chivas (1.30pm, Castlerock); MS Select v Tyrone (1.30pm, Rugby Avenue, Coleraine); Strikers v Fermanagh  (1.30pm, Parker Avenue, Portrush); Middlesbrough v Dundalk (3.30pm, Riada 2, Ballymoney); Partick Thistle v Down (3.30pm, Anderson Park, Coleraine); Sheffield United v Club NI (3.30pm, Scroggy Road, Limavady); GPS Bayern v Right to Dream (3.30pm, Coleraine Showgrounds); Rangers v Armagh (7.30pm, Coleraine Showgrounds)


Premier: Alset v Armagh (3.30pm, Clough); Osasco v Hibs (3.30pm, the Warren, Portstewart); Club America v Antrim (5pm, Broughshane); Down v Lusaka (5pm, Rugby Avenue, Coleraine); Strikers v Otago (5pm, Castlerock); Ichifuna v MS Select (5pm, Parker Avenue); Tyrone v Vendee (5.30pm, Riada, Ballymoney); Derry v Mechelen (7pm, Scroggy Road, Limavady); Real Sociedad v Ponte Preta (7pm, Seahaven, Portstewart); Right to Dream v O'Higgins (7.30pm, Riada, Ballymoney); Newcastle United v Fermanagh (7.30pm, Ballymena Showgrounds)