It’s San Marino here we come for young Glenavon players

The under 16 Academy team will join Linfield as the Northern Ireland representatives at the event which runs from July 20 to July 27th.

The duo will line up against teams from Sturm Graz from Austria, Beroe from Bulgaria, Floriana from Malta, Leira from Portugal, Setubal from Portugal, Petrolul from Romania, Malmo from Sweden, Nottingham Forest, West Brom and Wolverhampton.

Glenavon have been drawn in group B alongside Malmo, Leiria and Wolves who they play on Tuesday 23rd at the Olympic stadium in San Marino.

The tournament is being hosted by SM International Events and upon arrival on July 20th the party will all be joined by the other competing teams at a gala dinner

The hosts have also laid on transport each morning to bring the full squad into the centre of San Marino plus lunch before heading back to the hotel for short relaxation prior to leaving at 3.30pm each afternoon for the group

matches which all will have 5.00pm kick off time.

The two semi-finals will be played on the Wednesday evening with the final on Friday 26th again at the Olympic Stadium. The Glenavon team will be managed by John McDowell who will be assisted by coaches Ryan Prentice, Nathan McConville, Philip Magennis, Stevie Crowe and goalkeeping coach Jonny Pollock. Duncan Stoddard will be acting as team physio and club director Hubert Watson will look after all administration and travel arrangements.