Thursday 3rd May 2012 - Down gears up for Milk Cup extra factor!

Comber Rec will give this summer's Milk Cup international youth football tournament a County Down homecoming to remember.

County chairman Bobbie Reid has expressed his pride that the world renowned international youth football tournament is marking its 30th anniversary with two games at Parkway, home of the Northern Amateur Premier Division Club.

Milk Cup chairman Victor Leonard and his tournament organising committee are highly impressed with facilities at Comber Rec and paid tribute to Ards Borough Council for its sponsorship which ensured the County Down sides' opening games could be played at the ground.

The Mayor of Ards Borough Council, Councillor Mervyn Oswald marks the hosting of County Down's opening Milk Cup games at Comber Rec's Parkway ground, this summer along with (from left) – Archie Walls, director of leisure services, Ards Borough Council; Victor Leonard, Milk Cup chairman; Craig Brotherston, Ards Borough Council's soccer development officer; Co. Down Milk Cup chairman Bobbie Reid and Comber Rec chairman David Browne.

“This is something very special for all of us involved in the County Committee and we believe the good folk at Comber Rec are more than well equipped to roll out the red carpet,” said Bobby.

“Both Down's County teams receive fantastic support at the Milk Cup every year and we appreciate that. For the players and their parents, friends and family, having games at home is such a big thing. We are hoping to have huge support no matter who the teams are drawn against in a few weeks time.”

The Milk Cup, one of Northern Ireland's major sporting attractions, was established in 1983 in the Coleraine area and has blossomed into a competition with a worldwide reputation. Top clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Benfica and Bayern Munich compete together with national sides from all across Europe, North and South America.

The opening games for both County Down's Junior and Premier sides will be in the locality on Saturday, July 21 and it will be only the second time in the competition's history that the County has hosted games.

Comber Rec chairman David Browne added: “We look forward to welcoming the tournament which has rightly earned such a high reputation for excellence throughout the world.

“I know the local sporting public will make everyone feel at home in Comber."

The Mayor of Ards, Councillor Mervyn Oswald said: “Ards Borough Council is delighted to be helping bring the Milk Cup to Comber. Hosting these opening games in a tournament of international standing is a privilege, a great boost to local soccer and will undoubtedly draw large crowds".

The Mayor of Ards Borough Council, Councillor Mervyn Oswald marks the hosting of County Down's opening Milk Cup games at Comber Rec's Parkway ground, this summer along with Victor Leonard, Milk Cup chairman, Craig Brotherston, Ards Borough Council's soccer development officer and Archie Walls,the council’s director of leisure services.

Milk Cup operations manager, Newtownards man Jim Sandford, added: "The last time we took opening games to the six Counties was nine years ago when we marked the 21st anniversary of the tournament.

“That proved to be a popular decision with our County teams well supported and of course there was an immense feeling of pride among the boys and Committee members that they were able to play their first matches in front of large home crowds.

“We have always been aware of the terrific backing the County teams receive from supporters during the week of the competition and we never lose sight of that. It is a vital element of the competition's success.”

Jim added: “I know many people who make the Milk Cup an annual holiday on the North Coast where they enjoy a week watching matches and soaking up the atmosphere across the region. That's a very special part of the tournament and many friendships have been forged and renewed over the years.”

Tuesday 10th April 2012 - South Down Junior trial

South Down Junior Co-ordinator George McAllister will be running a trial at Banbridge Town FC on 22 April 2012 at 10.30am. Players can contact George on 07824690543 or Linda McAdam on 07814127573. Attendees are reminded to bring their own boots, shinguards, shorts and socks.

Monday 2nd April 2012 - County Down junior trials ready for kick-off

The NI Milk Cup will mark its 30th anniversary in style in 2012. To celebrate, the competition will commence earlier with games at venues from Saturday, July 21st.

County Down's Junior manager Paul Ritchie is calling on eligible local players to put themselves forward for trials that are set to start.

If you are a coach or parent and you know of any under 15 player who has the ability to represent County Down at the world-renowned Milk Cup tournament, which takes place from 21st July - 26th July 2012, make sure to contact one of the trial co-ordinators with details of name, date of birth, contact number, position and club/school.

To be eligible for the County Down Junior Squad, players must be born on or after 1st January 1997. Furthermore, parents or guardians of players must currently live at an address in County Down.

Trials will be split into three zones:
North Down - This area covers the whole of Belfast, south of the Lagan, and the Ards Peninsula including Bangor and Holywood. Trial Co-ordinator is Jason Purvis (07598946035).
South Down - This area takes in Newry, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Rathfriland and Dromora. Trial Co-ordinators are George McAllister (07824690543) and Linda McAdam (07814127573).
East Down - This area covers Annahilt, Ballynahinch, Carryduff, Newcastle, Downpatrick areas. Trial Co-ordinators are Paul Moore (07549661772) and Ronnie Cromie (07788441342).

The Milk Cup starts on 21st July 2012. Owing to the London Olympics, the tournament will conclude on Thursday, July 26th.

Wednesday 22nd February 2012 - Down begin search for Milk Cup talent

County Down boss John Bailie is about to embark on his second campaign in charge of the Premier (under 17) team, hoping to follow on from the success that saw his charges win the Vase competition last year. In his search for the top players in the county, Bailie is getting his preparations underway earlier than usual. "I'm aiming to run a series of trials during the month of March, and by end of that same month, to have a preliminary squad of 30 players," he said.

"The boys selected will then have a number of training sessions before coming together for a final trial game at the beginning of May, in advance of the naming of an initial squad of 23 players."

If you are a coach or parent and you know of any under 17 player who has the ability to represent County Down at the world-renowned Milk Cup tournament, which takes place from 21st July - 26th July 2012, make sure to contact one of the trial co-ordinators with details of name, date of birth, contact number, position and club/school.

To be eligible for the County Down Premier Squad players must be born after 1st January 1995. Furthermore, parents or guardians of players must currently live at an address in County Down.

Trials will be split into three zones:

North Down
This area covers the whole of Belfast, south of the Lagan, and the Ards Peninsula including Bangor and Holywood.
Trial Co-ordinator is Davy Bryson (07931665050).

South Down
This area takes in Newry, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Banbridge, Rathfriland and Dromora.
Trial Co-ordinator is Peter Houston (07867767787).

East Down
This area covers Annahilt, Ballynahinch, Carryduff, Newcastle, Downpatrick areas.
Trial Co-ordinator is Frank McClean (07541255184).

Details of selection for Junior (under 15) squad will be announced in the coming weeks.

The NI Milk Cup will mark its 30th anniversary in style in 2012. To celebrate, the competition will commence earlier with games at venues from Saturday, July 21st. Owing to the London Olympics, the tournament will conclude on Thursday, July 26th.

Sunday 13th November 2011 - County Down Benefits From Lifesaving Initiative By Bertie Peacock Foundation

County Down Milk Cup officials have received two defibrillators from the Bertie Peacock Foundation to cover all activities of their Junior and Premier squads in the build up to next summer’s event.

County Committee members John Hamilton, Bobbie Reid and Jeremy Bell attended the presentation in Coleraine and agreed the initiative, sparked by the collapse of a young player at last summer’s tournament, is a major step forward.

The Portstewart footballer with the heart problem says he is pleased his plight has helped raise awareness of the need for life saving defibrillators to made available at sporting venues.

Christopher McNeill continues his remarkable recovery following surgery to install a defibrillator and is hailing the provision of defibs at all Milk Cup grounds next year as a welcome breakthrough in improving vital support in the event of an emergency.

The £6,000 cost has been met by the Bertie Peacock Foundation which was established following the death in 2004 of Coleraine’s former Celtic and Northern Ireland footballer, a founding member of the international youth football tournament.

John Hamilton, Bobbie Reid and Jeremy Bell, Co Down Milk Cup Committee, pictured with Chris McNeill at the Milk Cup Defib presentation. Also included are Victor Leonard and Jim Weir, Milk Cup Committee, Roger Dallas and Frank Trainor, Peacock Foundation and Ron Peacock, grandson of the late Bertie Peacock.

Chris says: “I am pleased that the awareness about the need for defibrillators is being heightened after what happened to me.

“It’s unfortunate that it took my ordeal to spark it all off but that’s the positive message from it all.”

Foundation director Roger Dallas said: “I was at the game when Chris took unwell. It was a very worrying time, obviously for the family and the player himself but I believe that Bertie Peacock, who was such a driving force in youth football, would be proud that a Foundation perpetuating his memory is taking a lead role in this issue and helping to preserve the lives of young footballers and indeed others.

“The Foundation exists to promote health and education among young people and we are using football to achieve that goal. Down the years we have had several programmes in place, sending young people to Dutch club Feyenoord and Manchester United for training, as well as initiatives where local charities in Northern Ireland have benefitted from sporting equipment provided by the Foundation.

“We are delighted to be involved in this latest move to supply defibs to the Milk Cup and its County teams because we believe the preservation of life is one one of the most important aspirations of the Trust.”

Milk Cup spokesman Jim Sandford said: “For a tournament in existence 29 years, we had never factored in the possibility of a young player suffering heart problems and it has been a steep learning curve for those of us involved in organising the event.

“It was a very difficult time for so many people but we have learned from it and now, because of the generosity of the Bertie Peacock Foundation, every Milk Cup activity at County level in the run up to the competition and during the week will be covered by defibs. This is a significant breakthrough.”

All sporting events in the Province and indeed in a wider sphere should be covered in this way, according to tournament chairman Victor Leonard: “I welcome this positive step forward in terms of providing life saving cover not only for players but spectators too.

“These are difficult times financially but you cannot place a price on a human life and I would urge government to assist sporting clubs and organisations to provide similar cover at events.

“We have all known of situations in sport where participants have not been as fortunate as Chris and been able to receive instant medical attention and the vital back up of a defibrillator.”

St. John Ambulance personnel will offer training to officials and ground stewards beginning with representatives of the County associations, both Junior and Premier squads, benefitting in the months leading up to the event when they stage trials and training sessions, all of which will have access to a defibrillator.

Coleraine divisional nursing officer Andrew Fleming said: “Your chance of survival having a defib on hand to shock the heart in the first minute after a collapse is 90 per cent. That decreases every minute by ten per cent. So if you take it that an ambulance will be around ten minutes in getting to an incident, the chances of survival are greatly diminished by that stage.

“CPR is a holding measure. It increases oxygen and blood supply to the brain until the advance care can arrive. So, the defibrillator is the piece of equipment that is going to restart that heart by stunning it and hopefully getting it back into a normal rhythm again, along with the drugs that can be administered.”

The defibs were handed over at a ceremony in Coleraine’s Lodge Hotel atended by Bertie Peacock’s grandson Ron. He said: ““Having a defibrillator at a game is a huge positive when an emergency occurs. It quite literally can be the difference between life and death.

“I know my grandfather would be very proud about this development and I salute the valuable work the Foundation is continuing to do which is honouring his name.”

As for Chris McNeill, head boy at Dalriada School in Ballymoney, he admits it is unlikely that he will play football again: “With advances in modern medicine and technology I suppose its probably not entirely out of the question but for the forseeable future I would say football is not on the horizon in terms of playing but that does not rule out coaching or any other side of the game.”