Milk Cup success for County Londonderry

IN a successful Milk Cup 2012 campaign for both age groups playing in the colours of County Londonderry, a number of fantastic results were recorded.

The County Londonderry Juniors outshone their older counterparts, however, picking up the prestigious accolade of the ‘Wynns Trophy’ for the most successful team from all of Ireland.

The Juniors picked up the award following a win over Scottish side Queen of the South in the final of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup Globe competition, and in the process recorded their highest ever finish in the Milk Cup.

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The County Londonderry Juniors smashed the Scots with four goals in a comfortable victory, while Queen of the South managed only one goal.

In the final of the competition at Anderson Park in Coleraine, the Juniors actually clawed their way back into the match after going a goal down, only to respond in a thrilling final by hitting four goals.

The Juniors left it late though, when mid-way through the second half they were a warded a penalty which was duly dispatched by the calm Ben Doherty to level the scores. Another brace from Jose Elliott secured the lead, while Stephen Mills landed the killer blow with a fourth goal to wrap up the game.

County Londonderry Juniors had defeated County Antrim 3-1 at the Scroggy Road pitches in Limavady in the semis to secure the fixture with the Scotsmen in the final.

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Meanwhile, the County Londonderry Premier team lost out in the semi-final of the Northern Ireland Milk Cup Vase 2012 to County Down, to whom they conceded three goals.

The Premier team faced off against Tottenham Hotspur for the third place play-off, ‘Spurs having lost out to CSKA Moscow in the other semi-final.

Played at Broughshane the County lads found themselves behind to Tottenham midway into the opening half. Robert Donnell levelled the scores before the interval, while in the second half both teams had chances but it looked like the game would be decided on penalties. Unfortunately Tottenham Hotspurs grabbed the winner just minutes from the end. County Londonderry Premier finished fourth in the Vase competition and 12th in the overall standings.

Dissapointing results such as the 6-0 defeat to CSKA Moscow in the opening fixture took their toll on the boys as they failed to perform to the levels they are capable of.

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Manager Gary Faulkner congratulated the “fantastic achievement” of the Juniors, while saying that despite the disappointment of failing to perform to their full potential, the players will still have had the experience of playing against teams from Japan, Russia and the English Premiership.

He said: “When we were beat six-nil against CSKA I think our boys were a wee bit overawed by the experience, but against Ichifuna we could have gone and won the match. A draw was probably a fair result though.” Mr Faulkner added: “It is still a great experience for the lads getting to play against the likes of Spurs, a Japanese side and the likes of CSKA Moscow.”

He also congratulated the Junior squad on their achievement in winning the Wynns Trophy: “It is an absolutely fantastic achievement finishing fifth overall in the tournament. The previous highest finish for the Juniors was ninth. It is fantastic, especially considering the opposition.”

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