McGuckin looking to make a winning start

Editorial Department • Published 21 Jul 2011 13:00 0 Comments

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Milk Cup 2011

Fermanagh Milk Cup Junior team manager Gareth McGuckin is approaching next week's tournament in a positive frame of mind, and is hoping to get off to a winning start against local rivals Tyrone.

The Fermanagh team have been pitted against their nearest neighbours in a mouth-watering opener for local fans, with matches against Mexican team Cruz Azul and English League One side Brentford completing the group phase.

Former Fermanagh Mallards manager Gareth McGuckin is managing the Fermanagh team for the first time, and he is confident the unique atmosphere of the Milk Cup will inspire his squad. "The atmosphere in the first game should be great," he said. "They are all excited to get up there. A lot of the talk is about the parade as well and they will get a buzz out of that, and when they see the atmosphere on the first day you will see a bit of nerves maybe. Both Fermanagh and Tyrone have a real strong fan base, probably the best of all the counties, and with a bit of rivalry I'd say the first day atmosphere will be mad."

The mix of teams and styles in the group is likely to present a variety of different challenges for the players, and Gareth admits they are more familiar with the styles of some and not so sure about the tactics of the teams based further afield. "I know a lot about Tyrone because we have played them before, although in local tournaments this year we have stayed well away from them," he revealed. "Cruz Azul I would only know by looking through their history in the Milk Cup, and I think one year they won the tournament. Brentford I know a bit from last year when I was working with George Elliott, and they are a big English side with a typically physical attitude, although it all depends on what squad they bring this year."

The manager has been very pleased with preparations for the tournament, and the squad have been boosted by the news that vice-captain Jamie Amos has been declared fit and is ready to take the field if called upon. "Last week it looked as though Jamie would be out, but he's now fit to come back and play and that strengthens the squad because he is one of the big players for us," he said. "The preparation has gone well and the tournaments have gone well. Everyone has worked hard. They have been training twice a week plus a game a week through since the end of April when I named the 18, and I've been very happy with them all."

The standing of the Milk Cup tournament grows with each year, and its importance is demonstrated by the raft of club scouts trying to spot the next generation of superstars. Football is all about the team performance however, and Gareth is hoping his Fermanagh side can go all the way. "We are definitely going in thinking we can win," he admitted. "I said to the boys there is no point going in negative. It's a 50/50 chance, 11 against 11 and in football you never know what could happen. You might get a bit of luck. We aren't setting ourselves any targets. We will just take it game by game and see what happens in the first three days. On Thursday we'll set the target to win whatever semi-final we are in and try to hopefully get to a final, and maybe even win it. It's been a good experience so far, but hopefully we will have an even better experience next week."

Monday 25th July, 1.30pm

Co Fermanagh v Co Tyrone

Riada Stadium, Ballymoney

Tuesday 26th July, 12.00 noon

Co Fermanagh v Cruz Azul

Broughshane

Wednesday 27th July, 12.00noon

Co Fermanagh v Brentford

Anderson Park, Coleraine

This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 21 Jul 11

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