Aaron Hughes hails SuperCupNI’s role in his development at draw for this year’s tournament
Aaron Hughes during the draw for the 2024 SuperCupNI
Former Northern Ireland captain Aaron Hughes was on hand to conduct the draw for this year’s SuperCupNI at Windsor Park.
Yet again the event has attracted entrants from across the world and includes household names including Manchester United, Rangers and Celtic.
Hughes, who is now Technical Director at the Irish FA, paid tribute to the tournament and said it played a pivotal role in launching his career.
“The tournament provides an incredible opportunity for our young players locally to showcase their talent and play against top class teams from across the world,” Hughes said,
“The tournament attracts all the scouts and recruitment teams and they come over here to check out the Northern Irish players and compare them against players from across the world.
“It played a significant role in my development as a young footballer, and I can still remember the buzz of playing at the tournament and it certainly led to incredible opportunities for me as a 14-year-old when clubs first started to show interest in me.”
Former Northern Ireland International Aaron Hughes takes part in the draw with Ross Lazaroo-Hood from Clearer Water
In the Minor section, reigning champions Celtic will take on 2019 winners Glentoran, while tournament newcomers Ross County will take on tournament regulars Glenavon and Linfield.
In the Junior section, West Ham, who triumphed in the Junior section in 2023, will face local side County Londonderry, while Rangers will face tournament debutants Bahrain and County Fermanagh. Celtic will face two local sides in County Down and County Armagh and Charlton Athletic in Group B.
In the Premier section, Manchester United will face a team which is the brainchild of tournament graduate and former United player Fabian Brandy, in Skouted.
Group E will see a Scottish derby as Rangers face Hamilton Accies, while Group C includes County Down and three newcomers in West Cork Academy, Barca Academy Dubai and Toluca from Mexico.
The 2024 tournament will take place from July 21-26.
Minor section, Group A: Ballymena United, Cliftonville, Surf Select and Kilmarnock.
Group B : Glenavon, Linfield, Ross County and Stevenage FC.
Group C: Coleraine, Crusaders, IDA Bermuda and Plymouth Argyle.
Group D: Loughgall, Glentoran, USSSA and Celtic.
Junior section, Group A: County Fermanagh, Bahrain National Team, FC America and Rangers FC.
Group B: County Down, County Armagh, Charlton Athletic and Celtic FC.
Group C: County Tyrone, County Antrim, DME Football and Blackburn Rovers.
Group D: County Londonderry, St Francis FC , Stevenage FC and West Ham United.
Premier section. Group A: County Armagh, County Antrim, Shoshi HS and Middlesbrough.
Group B: County Londonderry, Dundalk Schoolboys League, Inter CT, Brighton and Hove Albion.
Group C: County Down, West Cork Academy, Barca Academy Dubai and Toluca CF.
Group D: County Fermanagh, Skouted, Intercontinental FA (USA) and Manchester United.
Group E: County Tyrone, Hamilton Academicals, Otago and Rangers FC.
