Tyrone Premier coach satisfied with top-six finish at SuperCupNI

DARREN Crozier said the Tyrone Premier team had exceeded all expectations at last week’s SuperCupNI on the north coast.

The county under-16s won two of their three group games against Newcastle United and Northeast Rush following a 2-0 defeat on the opening day to County Antrim.

Martin Gallagher and Crozier’s team then defeated County Down in the semi-final of the second tier Globe competition before losing 4-0 to Rangers in the final on Friday.

That secured a sixth place finish for Tyrone and Crozier was more than pleased how his young players had performed during the course of the week.

“The pleasing thing is that the boys listened and took on board what they were coached,” said the U16 assistant.

“For example, we were nil-nil against Newcastle, we got the boys in at half-time and we set up to limit the influence of their number four.

“Second half Newcastle never laid a glove on us and we won the game with something to spare.

“The boys bought into everything, they took on board the information and rose to the occasion

“The improvement in the players and the team from the start of the trials was remarkable.

“It has to be remembered we beat an academy side and the Co Down side we defeated on Thursday had a host of players from Irish League clubs.

“So all things considered it was a fantastic week and that’s credit to the boys.”

On Day Three Tyrone followed up the 2-0 win against Newcastle United with a thumping 6-1 victory over Northeast Rush at Broughshane.

Braces apiece by Brandon Downey and Sean McGinley and strikes by Calum Lenehan-Hunter and Shay Devine secured an impressive victory, after their opponents had taken something of a shock lead.

That secured the Red Hands a second place finish in the group to set up a meeting with County Down in the semi-final of the second tier Globe competition.

And the boys from the bushes produced another eye-catching performance to triumph 4-1 at Portrush’s Parker Avenue with Sean Corry (penalty), Dylan Crawford and Calum Lenehan-Hunter (2) on target.

That set up a decider against Rangers at the Riada Stadium, Ballymoney, however, Friday’s showdown proved a bridge too far for the county under-16s.

Following a scoreless first half, Rangers took the game by the scruff of the neck to run out convincing 4-0 winners.

An unfortunate own goal set the full-timers on their way, Josh Gentles grabbed a second before a late double by Chris Eadie completed the scoring.

Crozier admitted he was concerned whether or not the players had the energy levels to match an academy side on the final day.

“We were wondering had we enough in the tank to get us over the line and we got our answer on the Friday,” he added.

“Up to that we had put in four big shifts, the boys had surpassed themselves and we busted our pan in the first half against a quality Rangers side.

“They played quick fluent football, they were a well-oiled machine. They didn’t even celebrate when they won and that tells you they were expecting a lot more from their week.

“We picked up a few injuries and once we started emptying the bench Rangers capitalised. It was damage limitation after that.”