03-08-2025
Son of ex-Premier League and Northern Ireland goalkeeper out to follow father's lead after starring at SuperCup NI
Despite being only 14-years-old, he knew that keeping a clean sheet would have been significant given both the opposition and his family history.
Had Phoenix Blayney managed to keep out the late strike from Archie Lovatt, it would have seen County Antrim inflict the only defeat of the 2025 SuperCup NI on Southampton – who went on to beat a Manchester United side with the son of a famous father of their own in their ranks – to win the Premier title.
Even with Kai Rooney and Jacey Carrick in their team, whose fathers Wayne and Michael were serial winners at United, the Red Devils fell to a 1-0 defeat in the Final.
'It was very frustrating not to get a clean sheet,' said Blayney.
'We thought there was a handball in the build-up.
'I still think we did well because no one else in the competition was able to beat them or even get a draw.
'It would have been brilliant to have got that clean sheet against Southampton, especially because my dad used to play there. It would have been fantastic for me.'
'Dad' to Phoenix is Alan, a three-time double winner in his time with Linfield.
Although he only played three Premier League games during a five-year stay at Southampton, his debut in May 2004 was arguably the most significant game of his career. A stop from an Alan Shearer header in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United won him the Sky Sports Save of the Season award.
The fourth of Alan's five Northern Ireland caps was hugely significant, too. While the 1-1 draw with Morocco in November 2010 isn't one that will particularly stick in the mind of the Green and White Army, the day itself does for the Blayney family; it was the day Phoenix was born.
Alan had been called up for the match, left the team hotel to be at the birth and ended a whirlwind day by coming on as a half-time substitute for Jonny Tuffey.
Given that he came into the world on that particular day, it was probably inevitable that Phoenix would want to follow in his father's footsteps and be a goalkeeper.
'Ever since I was young, I always had his gloves on in the garden messing about,' said Phoenix, who played in the Junior section for County Antrim in 2024 and is still young enough to return to the Premier competition in 2026.
'I always just loved getting dirty and always loved playing.
'I just love getting hurt, getting the ball in the face and getting dirty. Just loved it from the start.'
The young Blayney is already catching the eye of Premier League clubs. Standing at almost 6ft at just 14-years-old, he's hard to miss, but having a father who made it to the top means he knows that it takes more than being tall to hit the heights.
'He just plays his own game. He's calm and he just takes everything in his stride. I don't think he feels pressure,' said Alan.
'I just tell him to work hard, have a good attitude and try to enjoy every game. That's really all the advice I give him and then let him do his own thing and then let the football do the talking.
'It would have been good if he'd managed to keep a clean sheet, but I think he had a decent game and, all in all, it was a decent night for them.'
From his start messing about in the garden, things are getting serious for Phoenix, and the benefit of Alan's coaching – both are with Larne – as well as his father's advice means he is well-placed for the future.
'My dad is a massive inspiration. I just always wanted to do what he did,' said Phoenix.
'I'm really keen to do it. I would really, really love to sign across the water and keep football going.'
