County players set for weekend warm-up

The competition in Lord Lurgan Park forms a traditional part of the Orchard County squads’ work towards peak condition for the week-long July showcase.

County Armagh can look forward to tournament tests next month against County Tyrone, Rangers, Plymouth Argyle, County Down, Ichifuna and Alset Colombia across the junior and premier sections of what was previously called the Milk Cup.

Warm-up games this weekend have been scheduled from 10.30 and visitors include County Down, County Antrim, Dublin Schoolboys’ League and Club NI under 14s.

The county squads have been confirmed as follows:

JUNIOR SQUAD: David Walsh (Linfield), Adam McAlpine (Glenavon), Patrick Kerr (Armagh City), Jack McIvor (Glenavon), Lee Upton (Portadown Youth), Barney McKeown (Portadown Youth), Ruairi McDonald (Dungannon Swifts), Jack Adamson (Portadown Youth), Daniel Neill (Portadown Youth), Daniel Gordon (Portadown Youth), Scott McCann (Loughgall Youth), Harry Evans (Portadown Youth), Chris Hutchinson (Portadown Youth), Rioghan Crawford (Lurgan Celtic), Alberto Balde (Portadown Youth), Tom Barratt (Portadown Youth), Ryan Latifi (Portadown Youth), Ryan Carmichael (Loughgall Youth).

PREMIER SQUAD: Conor Larkin (Portadown), Craig Robinson (Bangor), Conor Kerr (Armagh City), Craig Taylor (Annagh United), Ross Larkin (Armagh City), Eoin Toal (Armagh City), Shea Geraghty (Dungannon Swifts), Owen McConville (Dungannon Swifts), Pablo Andrade (Linfield), Zac Wilson (Portadown), Cathal McGinty (Cliftonville), Edi Tavares (Armagh City), Oisin Smyth (Dungannon Swifts), Reece McEnerney (Glenavon), Ryan Leeman (Loughgall), Nedas Maciulaitis (Portadown), Lorcan Forde (Warrenpoint Town), Jackson Holmes (Portadown).

LOUGHGALL

Loughgall Youth’s Keith Kearney left Northern Ireland this week to start a Scholarship programme at Rochdale AFC in England.

Kearney started out with the under 11s and spent time with Armagh City before returning to the Lakeview Park club last year for the under 17s.

Club officials would like to thank Alex Clifford for his assistance in the move and wish the teenager every success in his career progress.

MID-ULSTER

Mid-Ulster Juvenile League officials have issued a reminder to clubs that the deadline for application will end in July.

Play is set to start across September and anyone interested can contact Jim Canning, the league secretary, on [email protected] or 07785107700.

“The Mid-Ulster Juvenile League has been in existence for over 50 years and attracted a wide range of clubs,” said Canning. “We have clubs covering areas from County Fermanagh to County Down.

“We would love to hear from any clubs interested in joining our league and cup programme.”

CAMP

Camps for boys and girls aged 4-13 years old will take place at Craigavon’s Drumgor 3G pitch under the guidance of AM PRO Coaching.

The Technical Skills camp is open to 7-13 year olds, with the Little Strikers programme for 4-6 year olds across Thursday, June 30 and Friday, July 1 between 2-5 o’clock.

“We encourage all aspiring footballers to participate in our fun-filled skills camps whilst learning and developing your skills,” said Aaron McNeill, the UEFA-licensed founder of AM PRO Coaching and Swansea City Academy coach. “Following the success of the Little Strikers programme, we are holding our first camp for boys and girls aged 4-6.

“Our fun-filled programme aims to develop fundamental movements such as agility, balance, co-ordination and speed and builds essential foundation skills with a ball through play.

“Little Strikers allows children to fall in love with the game, building confidence and self-esteem within a safe, secure and inclusive environment.

“Learn and develop the technical skills and qualities of a professional footballer through technical skill sessions aimed at enhancing the development of players within the golden age of learning.

“Sessions offer the individual opportunities to learn, practice and experiment in a professional, safe, friendly and secure environment.

“AM PRO Coaching uses an age-appropriate coaching curriculum that focuses on challenging, educating and developing the individual within the FA’s Four-Corner Model of player development of technical/tactical, physical, psychological and social.”

AM Pro Coaching’s McNeill is also connected to the forthcoming Talent ID Camp organised by Warrenpoint Town for players in the under 11s to under 14s age range.

Sessions will run at Warrenpoint’s 3G pitch on June 28 and June 29. Dates in July have also been booked for under sevens to under 10s.