Antrim And Armagh Claim Derby Glory As Spurs And Shamrock Shine On Action-packed Day One At Budget Energy SuperCupNI

In today’s boys Junior section, there were two inter-county derbies that saw Co Antrim and Co Armagh come away with the points and the bragging rights.

Losing 2023 finalists Co Antrim made short work of Co Londonderry, winning 3-0 in front of a healthy crowd at Scroggy Road thanks to a strike from Fionnbharr Stiobhard, and an excellent double from Michael Mulholland.

It was a more challenging task for Co Armagh, as they overcame Co Tyrone by just a single goal at Parker Avenue.

Meanwhile, there was a seven-goal thriller at Riada Stadium in an all-English affair, as Tottenham Hotspur ran out 5-2 winners against fellow Londoners Charlton Athletic. It was Spurs’ first appearance in the Budget Energy SuperCupNI in over a decade, and it appears they are back with a winning intent. Ashiah Haughton-Sinclair stole the headlines in this game with four goals, with teammate Semande Ekundayo also chipping in with another.

Elsewhere in the section, last year’s finalist’s Co Down got off to a disappointing start, going down 2-0 to Irish side St.Patrick’s Athletic. Co Fermanagh also lost to a team south of the border as they fell 1-4 to Bohemians. There were also wins for Blackburn Rovers, who saw off Crewe Alexandria 4-1, while Scottish giants Celtic defeated American side Chicago City 4-2.

Finally in the Juniors, West Ham United, who are gunning for an incredible three titles in-a-row, could only grab a 2-2 draw against a gutsy Plymouth Argyle side on Monday evening.

Onto the Minor section, and it was hosts Coleraine who got their campaign off to a winning start at the Showgrounds against competition debutants, Shankill Juniors.

After some memorable midfield battles between the sides and some excellent goalkeeping at either end, it was the experience of the Bannsiders that won out in the end. Josh Adams with the only goal of the game in the second half as he drilled home past the goalkeeper much to the delight of the home crowd.

Further south in Kells, reigning Minor champions, Crusaders had high hopes of retaining their title this year, but came up against a technically superb Shamrock Rovers. The Republic of Ireland outfit ran out 2-0 winners as the Crues will be back tomorrow aiming to get their defence of the title back on track

The Minor section also provided impressive wins for local sides Ballymena United, 4-2 against Scottish side Ross County, and Cliftonville, who saw off Loughgall 4-1.

In another local matchup, last year’s beaten finalists Linfield drew 0-0 with Glenavon, while there were also draws between Al Jazira Club and Kilmarnock; and Leeds United and American team Surf Select who between them shared six goals. Finally, Blackburn Rovers eased past IDA Bermuda 3-0 also at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Boys’ Junior Section Results (Monday 28^th July 2025)

Co. Down 0 v 2 St. Patrick’s Athletic (Anderson Park, Coleraine)

Co. Fermanagh 1 v 4 Bohemians (The Warren, Portstewart)

Crewe Alexandra 1 v 4 Blackburn Rovers (Parker Avenue, Portrush)

Co. Tyrone 0 v 1 Co. Armagh (The Heights, Coleraine)

Celtic 4 v 2 Chicago City (Bushmills)

Co. Londonderry 0 v 3 County Antrim (Scroggy Road, Limavady)

Charlton Athletic 2 v 5 Tottenham Hotspur (Riada Stadium, Ballymoney)

West Ham United 2 v 2 Plymouth Argyle (Broughshane)

Boys’ Minor Section Results (Monday 28^th July 2025)

Al Jazira Club 1 v 1 Kilmarnock (Castlerock)

Linfield 0 v 0 Glenavon (Bushmills)

Coleraine 1 v 0 Shankill Junior (Coleraine Showgrounds)

Ballymena United 4 v 2 Ross County (Broughshane)

Cliftonville 4 v 1 Loughgall Youth (Castlerock)

Leeds United 3 v 3 Surf Select (Bushmills)

Crusaders 0 v 2 Shamrock Rovers (Kells, Ballymena)

IDA Bermuda 0 v 3 Blackburn Rovers (Coleraine Showgrounds)

For more information and fixtures, visit the Budget Energy SuperCupNI website: www.supercupni.com.