Lee pleased with ‘honour’ of Milk Cup selection

Lee Bailie in action for County Down during a Milk Cup warm-up match.

Dromore High School pupil Lee Bailie is looking forward to making his Milk Cup debut.

The County Down Junior team left-back, another Linfield player, has received his first call-up to the county squad and now can’t wait to take on the premier youth football tournament.

“I felt very happy and privileged to be picked for the Down Milk Cup squad,” he said. “It is such a big honour and I’m really excited to make my debut at the competition.”

Bailee’s junior team have been drawn against Brentford, USA side Strikers and Donegal SL in the group stages and the local lad isn’t setting any lofty targets against tough opposition.

“I just hope that we have no regrets after the competition and that me and all the team have a great tournament and can progress in it,” he said reservedly.

“I can’t wait to get going now though because I’ve played against an Academy team before so I know that these sides are going to be very good on the ball and will be very tough teams to beat.”

Like his Linfield and Down team-mate Jack Chambers, Lee goes into the tournament used to winning, having helped Linfield to All Ireland success last season and beaten only in the Northern Ireland Cup final.

On top of that, Bailee’s pedigree is strengthened at Dromore High School, who make a habit of collecting trophies.

Last season, Lee helped them to a treble success, winning the league and two cups.

Now he is hoping to carry that victorious feeling into the Milk Cup and beyond, when he is already dreaming of going on to ‘bigger things.’