
Northern Ireland U-16s made a winning start to the six-team SuperCupNI tournament, in its first ever girls’ competition.
Victor Leonard, chairman of the organising committee, told irishfa.com: “While we have had girls’ challenge games in previous years, this year sees the first girls’ section, which will be for under-16 teams.
“We had planned for this tournament to happen in 2020 but as a result of the pandemic this wasn’t possible, however we are delighted to be able to stage the girls’ competition this year.”
Mossley Park in Newtownabbey, Antrim’s Allen Park and Ballyclare’s Dixon Park will host the various matches in the girls’ competition.
The teams taking part along with Northern Ireland are Republic of Ireland, Northeast Rush (USA), Surf Select (USA/Canada), Ottawa City (Canada) and Rangers.
Although the overall tournament is being sponsored by STATSports, the girls’ competition has its own sponsor, broadband company Fibrus.
The girls’ teams will initially play three matches within a six-team group. On the basis of points gained the top two teams in the table will play for the Fibrus SCNI Cup, with the next two competing for the Fibrus SCNI Globe and the bottom two competing for the Fibrus SCNI Vase.

Game two is on Tuesday against the Republic, again at Mossley Park (1.30pm), while their third and final game in the group is on Wednesday at the same venue with Surf Select providing the opposition at 1.30pm.
The various finals in the girls’ section are due to be played next Friday. The Fibrus SCNI Cup final is set to be staged at Dixon Park in Ballyclare (2pm) with the Globe decider at Mossley Park (also at 2pm). The Vase final will also be played at Mossley Park that day (11.30am).
The 18-strong Northern Ireland squad taking part in SuperCupNI is a mix of girls who competed at U17 level in Euro qualifiers and at a U16 development tournament in Israel earlier this year, as well as U15 players who competed in the annual Bob Docherty Cup international tournament back in April.
Noel Mitchell, the team’s head coach, said: “The SuperCupNI matches will be a good test for the younger girls as we monitor their progress. These matches will help them with their continuous learning and football development.”
Northern Ireland U16 girls’ squad for SuperCupNI:
Goalkeepers – Ellie Scott (Lisburn Rangers), Abbie Smith (Crusaders)
Defenders – Abi Sweetlove, Sofie Keenan and Ellen Hampton (all Linfield), Morgan Hanna (Larne), Niamh O’Donnell (Mid Ulster)
Midfielders – Aimee Kerr (Ballyclare Comrades), Mia Moore (Linfield), Faye Loughran (Lisburn Rangers), Darcie McNeill (Crusaders Strikers)
Forwards – Sophie Gargan, Maureen Quinn, Sophie McKnight and Rhianna Breen (all Linfield), Kascie Weir (Antrim Rovers), Rachel McIntyre (Glentoran), Gracie Conway (Ballyclare Comrades)