Tyrone drawn with giants Manchester United

Sunday 20 July 2025 9:00

COUNTY Tyrone's Premier team has been drawn in the same group as Manchester United in this summer's SuperCup NI.

The eagerly anticipated draw was conducted by legendary former Linfield and Ballymena United manager, David Jeffrey MBE., at Flowerfield Arts Centre in Portstewart, setting the stage for another world-class summer of international youth football.

Now in its 42nd year, the globally renowned Budget Energy SuperCupNI will take place from Sunday, July 27 to Friday, August 1, welcoming 62 of the world’s most prestigious boys’ and girls’ academies alongside elite teams from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In the Boys’ Premier Section, seven-time champions Manchester United have been drawn in Group C, where they will face Scottish Premiership heavyweights Rangers, West Cork Academy and County Tyrone.

Reigning champions Brighton & Hove Albion begin their title defence in Group A that includes Country Armagh, the team they beat in a dramatic penalty shootout win the 2024 final, alongside Intercontinental FA and County Down.

Tournament debutants AFC Bournemouth make their long-awaited first appearance in Group B, where they will take on County Fermanagh, Hamilton Academical and Tigres UNAL.

Fellow Premier League newcomers Southampton are also set for their first SuperCupNI campaign and will face County Londonderry, County Antrim and Ichifuna from Japan in Group D

In the Boys’ Junior Section, reigning champions West Ham United will begin their quest to make history as the first club ever to win three consecutive Junior titles.

The Hammers have been drawn in Group D, where they will face County Down, St Patrick’s Athletic, and Plymouth Argyle.

Tottenham Hotspur mark their long-awaited return to the tournament after more than a decade and will line up in Group B alongside County Antrim, County Londonderry and Charlton Athletic.

Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are set for a compelling Group C campaign against County Fermanagh, Bohemians and Chicago City, while English Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers will compete in Group A, where they take on County Armagh, County Tyrone and Crewe Alexandra.

Minors

In the Boys’ Minor Section, newly promoted Premier League side Leeds United return to the tournament for the first time since winning the Premier Section title in 2002.

They will compete in Group C alongside Cliftonville, Loughgall and Surf Select.

Blackburn Rovers, another top-tier English academy, will line up in Group D where they will face Shankill Juniors, Coleraine and IDA Bermuda.

Scottish Premiership clubs Kilmarnock and Ross County have been drawn into Groups B and A respectively.

Kilmarnock are set to meet Linfield, Glenavon and Al Jazira Club, backed by Sheikh Mansour the owner of Manchester City, while Ross County will take on defending champions Crusaders, Ballymena United and Shamrock Rovers.

Victor Leonard, chairperson of the Budget Energy SuperCupNI said: “We’re incredibly proud of the line-up for this year’s tournament, it’s one of the most exciting we’ve ever assembled.

"The draw has delivered some fantastic match-ups across all three Boys’ Sections and it’s shaping up to be an action-packed week of thrilling football, great goals, and memorable moments.

“As organisers, we take huge pride in welcoming world-renowned clubs and rising teams from around the world, alongside the very best of our local talent.

"That mix is what makes the Budget Energy SuperCupNI so unique, and we can’t wait to see it all come to life this summer.

“To sustain and grow this level of international interest over four decades is a real credit to the dedication of our tournament team, our partners, and the footballing community that continues to support us year after year.

"We look forward to welcoming players, coaches and supporters for what promises to be another special chapter in the SuperCupNI story.”

The 2025 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is proudly supported by headline partner Budget Energy, alongside a strong line-up of valued partners including Tourism NI, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, Uhlsport, Clearer Water, Tesco, The Premier League, TrustFord, 247.tv and BuyTicketApp.

Boys’ Sections draw

Minor Section

Group A: Crusaders, Ballymena United, Shamrock Rovers and Ross County

Group B: Linfield FC, Glenavon, Al Jazira Club and Kilmarnock FC

Group C: Cliftonville, Loughgall, Surf Select and Leeds United

Group D: Shankill Junior, Coleraine, IDA Bermuda and Blackburn Rovers

Junior Section

Group A: County Armagh, County Tyrone, Crewe Alexandra and Blackburn Rovers

Group B: County Antrim, County Londonderry, Charlton Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur

Group C: County Fermanagh, Bohemians, Chicago City and Celtic

Group D: County Down, St Patrick’s Athletic, Plymouth Argyle and West Ham United

Premier Section