NI boss praises hosts Greenisland at Milk Cup

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill said everyone connected to Greenisland FC should be proud after they hosted youth teams from Liverpool and Benfica in the opening games of the Milk Cup on Saturday.

O’Neill was an interested observer as Liverpool eased to a 4-0 win over Co. Antrim in the Junior Section of the competition. Portuguese side Benfica and Co. Antrim had to settle for a 0-0 draw in the Premier Section.

Other famous faces at Glenkeen Avenue included former Northern Ireland international Jim Magilton and boxer Carl Frampton. FIFA vice-president Jim Boyce and Irish Football Association President Jim Shaw were also among the crowd.

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Speaking exclusively to the Times before last Saturday’s big kick-off, O’Neill praised the club and Carrickfergus Borough Council who helped bring the matches to the borough.

“The amount of work that goes in to make this happen is fantastic. It’s the first time I’ve been here and the place looks great. The pitch looks great and the whole set-up is very professional so everyone associated with Greenisland should be proud of what they have put on today. With Liverpool and Benfica here, it’s great for the whole community.”

And O’Neill, who manages former Greenisland players Jonny Evans, Corry Evans and Craig Cathcart at international level, was full of admiration for the newly-built clubhouse at the local venue.

“It’s very impressive what they have put in place here. I can see why it is such a progressive club at youth level and it has, obviously, produced a lot of good players and there’s no doubt, I’m sure, that will continue given the quality of the facility they have here and the people they have at the club.

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“Today is a great chance for me to see the young lads at county level and you always see one two who catch your eye but I’m really just here to look at the game and it was nice to get the invitation to come here today to see the Co. Antrim lads put on a good display against what will be very tough opposition.

“It’s great for the people here to see this level of opposition.”

As it turned out, Stefan Seaton’s Co. Antrim junior side were no match for an impressive Liverpool outfit. Reds winger Harry Wilson scored twice and set one up for team-mate Jack Hutchins with striker Oluwaseyi Ojo also getting his name on the scoresheet.

In the Senior Section, Co. Antrim - skippered by Reece Glendinning - held Benfica to a goalless draw and could have snatched a draw.

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Belfast boxer Carl Frampton was also at the games. He told the Times: “I have never been to a Milk Cup before but this is a bit more local to me. My uncle helps out with one of the teams at the club. He I invited me down and I was glad to come. Greenisland is a great club, it’s well run and they have great facilities here.”