Footballing giants await

The Blues are sending a panel of 16 players to take part in the Under 19 Otten Cup Invitational Tournament, organised by PSV Eindhoven and featuring the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

The competition, which has taken place annually since 1947, this year features PSV’s opponents from their successful UEFA Cup 1977/78 and European Cup 1987/88 campaigns. Glenavon were beaten 11-2 on aggregate by PSV in the UEFA Cup in 1977.

Glenavon’s U19 squad, most of whom have already featured in the club’s first team, fly out to Eindhoven today (Thursday) and begin their Group A campaign tomorrow at 3pm against Benfica.

The Blues then take on Eintracht Braunschweig later that day before playing hosts PSV on Saturday morning and Spanish giants Real Madrid that afternoon.

The Blues conclude their group games on Sunday morning, facing Polish side RTS Widzew Lodz. There will then be play-offs between the two groups to decide the final ranking positions.

Anyone wishing to keep an eye on how the young Blues are getting on can do so at http://www.psvjeugd.nl/ottencup/.

GLENAVON UNDER 19 SQUAD: Ryan Corrigan, Jonny Dallas, Jordan Dane, Lewis Dean, Daniel Devine, Thomas Diamond, Lee Doherty, Jason Greenaway, Andrew Hoey, Matthew Lowe, Rhys Marshall, Jack Milligan, Robbie McDaid, Jack McNally, James Singleton, Matthew Walker.