The process of picking the finest players for the 2010
Northern Ireland Milk Cup Premier squad is due to commence. A
preliminary squad of thirty players will be in place by the end of March.
The squad will have training sessions during April.
Following this, a final trial match will take place in May to select 23
players for the provisional squad that will go to a pre-tournament weekend in
Dublin.
Selection for the Junior (under-15) team will remain as it
was, meaning trials will begin at Easter. Details for these trials will be
published in the local press in due course and on the County Down website www.downmilkcup.com
Last year, County Down made history by becoming the
first-ever county side to make it into the Milk Cup quarter-finals in both age
groups in the same year. The Junior team finished 6th overall and
picked up the award for the most successful Irish team. The Premier side was put
out of the main competition by beaten finalists Sheffield United and went on to
finish 8th.
If you are a coach or parent and you know of an under-17
player who has the ability to represent County Down at the world-renowned Milk
Cup tournament, which takes place from 26 July to 30 July 2010, make sure you
contact one of the trial co-ordinators with details of name, date of birth,
contact number, position played and club/school.
To be eligible for the County Down Premier squad, players
must be born on or after 1 January 1993. Furthermore, parents or
guardians of players must currently live at an address in County Down.
Trials will be split into three zones as
follows:-
North
Down
This area covers the whole of Belfast, south of the Lagan and the
Ards Peninsula including Bangor & Holywood. Trial co-ordinator is Peter
Cooling (07723 363302).
South
Down
This area takes in Newry, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel, Banbridge,
Rathfriland and Dromara. Trial co-ordinator is Damian McCorry
(07740 909603).
East
Down
East Down covers the Annahilt, Ballynahinch, Carryduff,
Downpatrick, Newcastle area and takes in Killyleagh and Comber. Trial
co-ordinator is Frank McClean (07802 868495).
Once the Zones have selected their respective panels they
will play off against each other in front of the management team for the
selection of the training squad of 30
players.