Clarets set for Milk Cup adventure

Goalkeeper Dan McDonald

We're proud to have played such a big part in getting Burnley Football Club's name on the map in this prestigious youth tournament and we will be reporting on the tournament through Simon Doyle who will be at the games for us.

This is the first time Burnley have taken part in this competition and our biggest link with it previously has been Kyle Lafferty. He played in the tournament as a youngster and then again in the international section four years ago.

Now it is the turn of our youth team and the full squad will be there along with coaches Terry Pashley and, fresh from his Masters performance, Andy Farrell.

The squad is made up of six second year apprentices and nine first year apprentices with seven of those nine having come via the club's Centre of Excellence Under-16s. The exceptions are Curtis Woods from Ballymena in Northern Ireland and Steve Edwards from Scunthorpe.

Woods and Edwards, both of whom are central defenders, featured in Saturday's game against Academica and they are joined by seven other new lads who are Ed Williams, Dean Overson, Dave Lynch, Ross Wilson, James Taylor, Thomas Taylor and Joe Jackson.

Completing the squad are the six second years Dan McDonald, Jake McEneaney, Oliver Devenney, Michael King, Dom Knowles and Liam Newman.

Tonight's game against Co Londonderry will be played at the Showgrounds Limavady kicking off at 7:00 p.m. whilst tomorrow we play Trudovye Rezervy at the University Coleraine with a 5:00 p.m. kick off.

The tournament was opened last night by Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes who said: "It is a wonderful event for young players. The welcome from the fans is something you never forget.

"You get the opportunity to play against the best players in the world and the standard is tremendous. I have a great affection for the Milk Cup because it helped launch my career in full-time football.

Hughes has twice appeared for Northern Ireland in the Elite section of the Milk Cup and he said on being chosen to open this year's tournament: "I think the event is one of the best in the world. I am very honoured to be performing the opening ceremony and I wish all the competing teams well."

Clarets Mad looks forward to an enjoyable and successful Northern Ireland Milk Cup with special best wishes to the Burnley team.