United, Everton and Northern Ireland victorious on finals night
Thursday, 7 August 2008
The victorious Northern Ireland side who lifted the Elite trophy at the Milk Cup finals on Friday. wk32010
THE curtain came down on the 2008 Milk Cup with one of the best finals night's seen in many years.
Kicking off with the Juniors, Everton and Wolverhamton Wanderers treated the crowd to some top notch football with Hallam Hope scoring the winner for the Toffees.
Hope the target of scouts at the tournament all week brought the Liverpool side back from 2-0 down, going on to complete his hat trick and secure Everton's third win at the Milk Cup since 2002, taking the Golden Boot award with nine goals in five games as well.
Following their victory Everton chairman Bill Kenwright offered his congratulations to the triumphant Everton side saying: "I send my heartiest congratulations to the lads.
"This is a really magnificent achievement and bodes well for the future of our Club.
"This was a difficult and testing competition but they came out on top and should be proud of themselves."
Hot on the heels of the Junior tournament came the Elite final featuring Northern Ireland and Chile and it was an impressive Northern Ireland side who went on to lift the Milk Cup for the first time since the Elite section was introduced.
A goal from Adam Chapman floated over the head of stunned Chile keeper Fabian Cerda put Steve Beaglehole's side on the road to success.
Rangers striker Andy Little then forced his way through for the second before the break and although the South Americans pulled one back early in the second period, they could not deny the Northern Irish lads a first win in three final Elite appearances since 2005.
For Limavady lad Phillip Lowry the tournament has brought him closer to making a career on the mainland as he flew to England on Sunday afternoon for three day's trials with Leicester City following an impressive tournament.
Coleraine's Howard Beverland unfortunately did not get off the subs bench in the final but joined in with the jubilant celebrations at the end when home skipper Johnny Flynn was mobbed by team mates after lifting the trophy.
The Premier final saw Manchester United's Red Devils face Californian's South Coast Bayern. There was no doubt United had travelled to this year's tournament with a very strong side which included Wes Brown's and so it was to proved as the Old Trafford outfit outclassed the Americans.
Quality goals from Oliver Norwood, Nicholas Ajose and Federico Macheda crushed the American dream of South Coast Bayern who won many admirers with their performances over the week.
It was freescoring United's third triumph in eight finals and McGuinness, son of former United boss Wilf, was delighted that his talented team continued to find the net, signing off the competition with 20 goals in five matches.
He said: "The boys were superb and worked so hard in difficult conditions. I'm proud of them."
For full reports and pictures see pages 29 - 31.
