Northern Ireland boss O’Neill to open Milk Cup

The Ballymena man will officially open the tournament in Coleraine this Sunday, bringing back a host of memories from his own participation in the competition.

Northern Ireland boss O’Neill says: “The Milk Cup has been a launch pad for some of the world’s best known footballing talent over the years and clubs are tripping over themselves to compete because the standard is top drawer.

“The competition has evolved into a world famous event and that is a tribute to the organisers who have not only established it as one of the best youth football events but also built it up into one of Northern Ireland’s major summer attractions.

“In the early years I played for the Coleraine and District Youth League and it was a tremendous experience.

“There were 16 teams in our competition and it was exciting because we were being watched by big crowds and tried our best to impress!

Even as a raw teenager, Michael’s talent caught the eye one of the Milk Cup’s founding fathers, former Celtic captain Bertie Peacock, then a director at the Ballycastle Road club

Peacock enthused that he was one of the most exciting young players he had ever seen and together with the Coleraine manager at the time Jim Platt, another international goalkeeper, nurtured the emerging star, who went on to have a successful career.

O’Neill will chart the progress of the Northern Ireland Elite team who begin the tournament with a game against Denmark at Coleraine Showgrounds on Monday, July 29, followed by a clash with the USA at Drumahoe two days later and rounding off their campaign against Mexico at Ballymena Showgrounds on finals night, Friday, August 2.