Teenagers step up and adjust to Shamrock Park test

As a sign of continued progress to the parent club from the Portadown Youth pool, it was fitting that latest forward step arrived on the same day that grassroots teams progressed into National Cup semi-finals.

Four Portadown Youth sides now stand one result away from the Northern Ireland Boys’ Football Association-affiliated finals.

“We had four under 15s in the squad recently against Cliftonville and five for the Institute fixture,” said Portadown thirds manager Chris Wright. “Although both games ended in defeat, the bigger picture is player development.

“The boys have all been called up on merit and adapted so well.”