Son of Manchester United legend hits the target for Red Devils as SuperCup NI gets under way

Belfast Telegraph

2 days ago

Kai Rooney, son of the club's all-time record goalscorer and former SuperCup NI player himself Wayne, scored in a 3-0 win over West Cork Academy.
They meet Rangers in a glamour game at the Coleraine Showgrounds tonight after a 1,000 crowd in sun-splashed Bushmills were treated to an impressive performance from a player with the perfect name to play for Scottish giants.
Kyle Glasgow struck twice, his second a penalty, in a 5-0 win over County Tyrone, who conceded the final three goals late on. Substitute Ruairidh Hall also scored twice.
County Down's Mason Ayre is hoping to fire his team all the way to the SuperCup NI Premier Final after he scored two spectacular goals in a 4-2 win over Intercontinental FA.
Ayre came off the bench to hit a stunning half-volley before firing home a superb free-kick in injury-time after the American side had twice come from a goal down.
Zak Magowan hit a wonderful free-kick strike himself midway through the first-half before the impressive Ben Quirino equalised from the penalty spot. Shea Trainor added to the array of special goals to restore Down's lead only for Sam Winik to reply from a low driven corner after an impressive save by Max Sykes.
'I don't usually score those too often, it was good to score both,' said Ayre. 'It's much more of a buzz when you score goals like that.
'Hopefully, we can make it all the way to the Final.'
County Down now meet 2024 winners Brighton, who were 2-1 winners over County Armagh who the Seagulls defeated in the Final.
AFC Bournemouth head Group B after they won 3-0 against County Fermanagh, and Hamilton Academical came from behind to draw 1-1 with Mexican side Tigres after missing a first-half penalty.
County Londonderry won 2-1 in their derby with County Antrim and now face Southampton, 2-0 winners against Ichifuna of Japan.
Mixed emotions for manager Darragh Peden following County Armagh Juniors' victory
Darragh Peden confessed to being torn between the joy of victory and frustration over County Armagh Juniors' performance despite a winning start to the SuperCup NI.
A goal from Alfie Davidson five minutes from time, when he let the ball run across his body before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner of the net, gave Armagh a 1-0 victory in their derby against County Tyrone.
Up to then, it had been the quality of rival goalkeepers Aidan Cunningham of Armagh and Tyrone's Jake Morgan that kept the scoreline blank.
'I think we're a better quality team than what we showed,' said Peden. 'The coach in me is frustrated but I suppose the manager in me is feeling 'job done' and now we move on to the next game.
'It's always a balance between winning games and trying to do it with a wee bit more flair. For me, as Juniors manager, it is more than just results; it's an experience at the SuperCup.'
That win was key for Armagh as their final Group A opponents Blackburn Rovers defeated Crewe Alexandra 4-1.
It was a tough start for County Down, who gradually grew into their game against St Patrick's Athletic before going down to two second-half goals from Conor Hudson and Gethin Davies.
West Ham and Plymouth Argyle finished 2-2 in the other Group D encounter.
County Fermanagh also lost to southern opposition, 4-1 to Bohemians in Group C, while Celtic won 4-2 over Chicago City.
Michael Mulholland scored twice for County Antrim while Fionnbharr Stiobhard got the third in a 3-0 win over County Londonderry, setting them up perfectly for today's clash with Tottenham Hotspur, who were 5-2 winners over Charlton Athletic with Ashiah Haughton-Sinclair scoring four of the Spurs goals.
Crusaders' quest to retain Minor crown suffers blow after defeat to Shamrock Rovers
Defending champions Crusaders' hopes of retaining their Minor title were dealt an early blow as they were defeated on the opening day at the SuperCup NI.
While the Crues got off to the kind of start they didn't want, there were goals galore for two other Irish League clubs, who each hit four goals in their victories.
The Crues were beaten 2-0 by Dublin giants Shamrock Rovers and that result sets up a hugely interesting Group A clash on day two as they now face Ballymena United in Castlerock today after the Sky Blues finished 4-2 winners over Ross County.
Cliftonville also made an impressive start to the tournament by hitting four goals in their 4-1 success against Loughgall. That game was, however, overshadowed entertainment-wise by the other game in Group C as Leeds United and Surf Select from the USA shared six goals in a thrilling 3-3 draw. The Reds now face Surf Select today.
It is all to play for in Group B after both games finished level. Glenavon and Linfield battled to a scoreless draw, while Kilmarnock drew 1-1 with Al Jazira Club of the UAE.
Coleraine and Blackburn Rovers will do battle for control of Group D when they meet in Bushmills after both were victorious in their opening games of the tournament.
Blackburn were 3-0 winners over IDA Bermuda, while Coleraine managed to squeeze out a 1-0 victory over Shankill Juniors.