Red Devils to compete in new Milk Cup tournament

Four teams will compete in the inaugural Under-13 Festival at Coleraine Showgrounds ahead of the main tournaments.

The competition, which also features Northern Ireland, Partick Thistle and the North Dublin Schools League, begins on Friday, July 25, and will run on a round robin basis with matches on the following Saturday afternoon and evening.

“It’s a new venture and we will see how it works out,” says Victor Leonard, chairman of the Dale Farm Milk Cup.

“If there is an appetite for a competition at this level we will look at progressing it in 2015.

“Manchester United are keen to progress younger players at this level so too is Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill.”

O’Neill has invested a lot of his time in reviewing the underage structures in the international set up where he ultimately sees future benefit for the country at higher levels.

“We are hoping that the high standard of players in this new event will attract the support of the local public, particularly as it is being centred at Coleraine Showgrounds,” says Victor.

A special opening ceremony will take place at Coleraine Showgrounds on the Friday for the four teams involved.

The programme for the U-13 Festival is as follows: Friday July 25: 6.15pm - opening ceremony (Coleraine Showgrounds); 6.45pm - North Dublin SL versus Northern Ireland; 7.45pm - Partick Thistle versus Manchester United.

Saturday July 26 - 11.30am - North Dublin SL versus Manchester United; 11.30am - Partick Thistle versus Northern Ireland. 6.45/7.45pm - Northern Ireland versus Manchester United; Partick Thistle versus North Dublin SL.

The order of the two night games will be decided by the tournament committee after the Saturday morning matches.

Matches in the U-13 Festival will not be covered by the tournament’s multi-match ticket.

Admission to every session of two games will be £3 (adults) and £2 (U-16s).