Friday's Milk Cup action in the borough

THE big day has finally arrived for Ballymena as it prepares to host the Northern Ireland Milk Cup finals for the first time.

A bumper programme lies in store with the finals in the three age groups played back-to-back at the Showgrounds from 4pm.

The first of those, at 4pm, sees Chelsea take on Mexicans Cruz Azul in the Junior final.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Next up is the Elite (under-19) final where the home crowd will be hoping to roar Northern Ireland to success in their decider against USA (6pm).

The last of the finals, to decide the Premier title, takes place at 8.15pm and a somewhat surprising line-up sees Bolton Wanderers take on Etoile Lusitana, from Senegal.

There will also be two pieces of silverware up for grabs at Broughshane today, with the Ballymena Borough Council-sponsored Slemish Trophy in the two younger age groups.

First up at 11am, it's the Junior final between County Londonderry and Aspire, from Qatar.

Then a big crowd is anticipated at the Knockan Road venue as Manchester United take on Hartlepool United in the Premier section, with a 1.30pm kick-off.