Sun shines on Milk Cup finals night

AS ‘complaints’ go, it was one that isn’t heard too often at Ballymena Showgrounds...

So when the biggest bone of contention at Thursday’s Milk Cup finals night were occasional comments along the lines of ‘it’s too warm’ or ‘the sun’s too bright’ it gives a fair idea of how smoothly the rest of the evening went, at the end of another cracking week of action in the world-renowned youth football tournament.

“The entire week went well and the fact we had good weather for large parts of it was a bonus,” Milk Cup chairman Victor Leonard told Times Sport.

“When you get weather in which South American sides feel at home, you have to count yourselves quite lucky!”

Despite a finals night which didn’t feature any of the ‘big-hitters’ in terms of supports bases, any fears of a low turnout were dispelled as people turned out in numbers to enjoy the feast of football on display.

Ballymena and Broughshane, as well as the other Council areas which hosted games, all played their part,” said Mr Leonard.

“It’s the people who make the Milk Cup – that’s what we’re always told by visiting teams who can’t quite get over the welcome they always receive when they come here.”

Mayor of Ballymena, Alderman PJ McAvoy also paid tribute to the success of the tournament.

“I feel the variety in the teams who reached the finals was very beneficial to the competition, rather than just the teams who maybe people expected to win the finals – it brought a lot of interest.

“From a personal point of view, it was nice to meet people from so many different areas of the world and to hear their stories.

“When you have people coming from New Zealand, making a 35-hour journey, to come here to play in the Milk Cup, you begin to get an idea of just how well regarded this tournament it.

“The great thing as well is that so many teams who come and sty in the Ballymena area want to stay here again the following year and I think that speaks volumes for the reception they receive when they’re here,” added PJ.

* Don’t miss our two-page picture special featuring local people at the Milk Cup.

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