Wales goalkeeping great Hennessey retires
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Belfast Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Gareth McAuley urges players at SuperCupNI to savour bonds and memories that will last a lifetime
The Northern Ireland Under-19s boss officially launched this year's tournament on Sunday. Former West Bromwich Albion ace 'Big G' led 62 elite boys' and girls' teams through the streets of Coleraine. The 42nd edition of the international youth football tournament features sides from across the globe. 'The SuperCup has had a big history of many top players in the underage teams,' said Euro 2016 icon McAuley, who earned 80 caps for his country. 'It's a great shop window for our local players taking part in the many different age groups. 'It is a real showcase and real kudos for the area and organisers to still be going so strong. 'It is a brilliant tournament, now renowned worldwide with teams from five continents, which is absolutely fantastic. 'The kids will all play football for different reasons, for some it can set them on a different pathway. 'I have fond memories from playing in the tournament and I'm still in contact with players from my team so you can create bonds and friendships which can last a lifetime. 'It's great for the boys and girls to get away as a group and experience what life can be like as a football player if that is their dream. It gives them a first taste of what it might be like.' More than 1,200 young players will compete in over 150 matches across five age groups, with fixtures taking place at venues throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council areas. McAuley competed in the tournament in 1994 when it was known as the Milk Cup. He represented the Dundonald Junior League in the boys' junior section and subsequently played for Crusaders and Coleraine before enjoying a distinguished playing career in England with Lincoln City, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and West Brom. He has worked as a coach with Northern Ireland's Under-17 and Under-19 squads before being appointed manager of the Under-19 men's team in 2023. 'I'm deep in the development side of the game and I know a lot of clubs like the Northern Ireland players and their attitude and determination,' said McAuley. 'There's a rawness there with some of them not being over-coached. 'They want to look at our players and when the players play against other academy teams, it's a massive shop window. 'From an Association point of view, we are in a good position — the NIFL leagues are strong, they are becoming more competitive, and the JD Academy is bridging the gap between full-time and part-time, making the boys more ready for moves. 'Lots of great work is done in recruitment and everyone is working hard to get the most out of a small pool of players. 'That is testament not just to the Association, but to all the youth coaches working with the players on a daily and weekly basis.' This tournament boasts a globally diverse line-up with elite clubs from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia competing across five fiercely contested age categories. Headline names for 2025 include Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United, who will join a strong line-up of County representative teams and local clubs including Linfield, Cliftonville, Crusaders and Coleraine. McAuley, who retired in 2019 at the age of 39 following a 23-year playing career, is thrilled to back the popular youth tournament. 'What always stood out to me was how many of my team-mates throughout my professional career talked about playing in it, with the fondest of memories,' he added. 'I'd encourage every young footballer taking part this week to embrace the occasion, give it everything and take pride in representing their team and their country. 'I wish everyone the very best of luck for what I'm sure will be another brilliant week of football.' Victor Leonard, chairperson of Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said: 'Gareth's journey from competing in the tournament to becoming a mainstay on the international stage is exactly the kind of story that continues to inspire the next generation.'
Scottish Sun
20 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Pre-season clash descends into huge brawl with League One star shoved to floor in tense clash
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE's pre-season clash with Bristol City descended into chaos as a huge brawl broke out. Tom Cleverley lost his first match in charge of the Pilgrims to the Championship side on Saturday. Advertisement 4 A huge brawl broke out between Plymouth and Bristol City stars Credit: X formerly Twitter / @DJ3001_ 4 One Plymouth star was shoved to the ground Credit: X formerly Twitter / @DJ3001_ However, there was a flash point during the match at Home Park. After the ball went out for a throw-in, players from both sides kicked off at each other. At one point, a Plymouth star was shoved to the ground by the brawl of players. Referee Lee Swabey was able to calm the storm and gave a lecture to those involved. Advertisement READ MORE ON FOOTBAL MAKE A WISS Wissa wants to quit Brentford for Newcastle with Toon also eyeing Jackson However, the official took no further action as the game was able to continue. The moment has gone viral on social media and has excited fans for the return of competitive football. One posted: "The EFL is so so nearly back baby." A second commented: "Games not gone lads, it is very much back." Advertisement SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN A third wrote: "Not long now." Emil Riis was the difference between the two sides as the Danish striker netted a brace for the Robins. Abandoned EFL stadium left to rot with pitch covered in weeds just five years after hosting final match Cleverley, 35, was appointed as the new boss at Home Park in June as he replaced Miron Muslic. Advertisement The former Manchester United star will be tasked with getting the team back into the Championship following relegation last term. The Pilgrims were relegated to League One in a horror season that saw Wayne Rooney sacked after just 25 games. Rooney was replaced by Muslic, who attributed the club's position to his predecessor's tenure. 4 Tom Cleverley is the new manager at Plymouth Credit: PA Advertisement 4 Miron Muslic left the club for Schalke Credit: Getty The Austrian-Bosnian manager was unable to save the club from the drop despite improving the results. Arygle wants to keep Muslic in the dugout for the upcoming season, but he left in order to take up a job at 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04. The Pilgrims will start their League One campaign at home to Barnsley on August 2. Advertisement This is then followed by away trips to Bolton and Lincoln City, either side of an EFL Cup round one clash against Queens Park Rangers.
The Sun
20 hours ago
- The Sun
Pre-season clash descends into huge brawl with League One star shoved to floor in tense clash
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE's pre-season clash with Bristol City descended into chaos as a huge brawl broke out. Tom Cleverley lost his first match in charge of the Pilgrims to the Championship side on Saturday. 4 4 However, there was a flash point during the match at Home Park. After the ball went out for a throw-in, players from both sides kicked off at each other. At one point, a Plymouth star was shoved to the ground by the brawl of players. Referee Lee Swabey was able to calm the storm and gave a lecture to those involved. However, the official took no further action as the game was able to continue. The moment has gone viral on social media and has excited fans for the return of competitive football. A third wrote: "Not long now." Emil Riis was the difference between the two sides as the Danish striker netted a brace for the Robins. Abandoned EFL stadium left to rot with pitch covered in weeds just five years after hosting final match Cleverley, 35, was appointed as the new boss at Home Park in June as he replaced Miron Muslic. The former Manchester United star will be tasked with getting the team back into the Championship following relegation last term. The Pilgrims were relegated to League One in a horror season that saw Wayne Rooney sacked after just 25 games. Rooney was replaced by Muslic, who attributed the club's position to his predecessor's tenure. 4 4 The Austrian-Bosnian manager was unable to save the club from the drop despite improving the results. Arygle wants to keep Muslic in the dugout for the upcoming season, but he left in order to take up a job at 2. Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04. The Pilgrims will start their League One campaign at home to Barnsley on August 2. This is then followed by away trips to Bolton and Lincoln City, either side of an EFL Cup round one clash against Queens Park Rangers.
