General
- Tuesday August 4th, 2026 @ 10:00
Saints U14s Reflect On Super Cup NI Win
St Patrick's Athletic U14s clinched the Super Cup NI last weekend, beating Plymouth Argyle in the final to cap off a fantastic week.
That victory means The Saints are the first Irish club in over 35 years to win the Junior section of the famous tournament.
Home Farm were the last Irish side to win it back in 1988 when the competition was known as the Milk Cup.
Previous winners include the likes of Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea, Maccabi Haifa, Corinthians and Rangers.
Following Sunday's Opening Ceremony, the boys began the 2026 edition with a 2-2 draw against Charlton Athletic, Danny Davis got both goals in Broughshane on Monday.
Next up, it was Co Fermanagh on Tuesday. Davis, Ahmed Ali-Mussa, Moses Vungbo, Rio Devlin, Louie Bird and Jack Moore were on target in a brilliant 6-0 victory.
St Pat's knew a win against Premier League side West Ham United on Wednesday would secure their spot in the semi-finals and they duly delivered! Davis and Moore continued their excellent form in front of goal, scoring one each in a 2-1 triumph.
Co Down provided the opposition in a tough semi-final, but it was Ali-Mussa who sealed a place in the decider with the only goal of a tight game.
Then it was all about the Final on Friday as St Patrick's Athletic faced Plymouth Argyle at the Colraine Showgrounds.
A Jack Moore double meant it was advantage Pat's at the break (2-0) before Ali-Mussa, who was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament afterwards, got a third to secure a 3-0 victory and the Super Cup NI Junior trophy.
Manager Mark Connolly has been reflecting on this historic achievement:
"We are absolutely delighted for the players and extremely proud of each one of them.
They set a team target 14 months ago to go up to the Super Cup NI and win the tournament and they have all worked so hard individually and as a team within The Academy and away from the club to get to this point.
We have a really special group who push each other consistently in training and are so demanding on themselves. They are already seeing the rewards from all that work.
We asked the players to believe in themselves and in each other and reminded them each day that they are among the best players in the country, combining together to be a really strong squad which we felt was capable of playing the best football and winning the tournament.
It was a long week for everyone, with five really intense games but they showed their unbelievable talent and got their rewards for their ability and fantastic attitudes.
Myself and Phil Power would like to thank all of the players, their parents and families, all of our coaching staff and the wider St Patrick's Athletic Academy staff for all of their help and support for the boys and the team. We're looking forward to helping them kick-on even further in the coming months and years."
Jack Moore scored four goals across the week, including two in the final, and the striker told us what it means to come out as winners:
"Winning the Super Cup is an unforgettable achievement for our team. We worked so hard throughout the week and in the months leading up to it and all of our effort paid off in the final.
I'm really proud to score two goals in the final and to help my team secure the victory.
Celebrating the win with my teammates made it one of my favourite moments of the season so far."
Head of Academy Ian Bermingham said:
"A huge congratulations to our U14 players and coaching staff on winning the Super Cup NI.
When this group of players joined the club 14 months ago, we made a conscious decision to challenge them at the highest level. We felt the domestic games programme alone wouldn't provide the level of competition needed to support their continued development.
Since then, they have gone toe-to-toe with the likes of Porto, PSG, Everton, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, among others. Those experiences challenged the players in many ways, pushed them out of their comfort zones, and played a significant role in preparing them for occasions like this.
A special mention goes to coaches Mark Connolly and Philly Power. Their preparation, commitment and belief in the players throughout the week were instrumental in the team's success.
Thank you also to our Academy Head of Strength and Conditioning, James McCrudden, who ensured the players were physically prepared and recovered throughout the tournament, giving them every opportunity to perform at their best.
Our Goalkeeping Coach Kian Clements came through our Academy himself, his knowledge, support and guidance to our goalkeepers also played a key part in the week.
Finally, a special word of appreciation to our physio, Thomas Breen, whose work behind the scenes was exceptional. His dedication to treating and managing the players throughout the week ensured everyone had the best possible chance of being fit and available for selection.
We couldn't be prouder of this group and what they have accomplished. Winning the Super Cup NI is a fantastic reward for all of their hard work, but more importantly, it is another step in their development. We look forward to watching them continue to grow, improve and reach even greater heights in the years ahead."
Finally, Sporting Director Ger O'Brien added:
"This achievement is a very proud moment for everyone involved with the Academy and the Club and is a testament to the outstanding work Ian Bermingham and all of his staff have put in.
Over the last 10 years, the club has enjoyed tremendous success in helping young players progress into professional football, both in Ireland and abroad. The time, commitment and dedication our coaches give, seven days a week, is all focused on developing better players and better people.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the coaching staff that we do, and this week has once again shown that young players from the League of Ireland can compete with the very best academy teams from around the world.
Mark Connolly and Phil Power have been there since day 1, helping the club recruit and develop so many of the players that have played for the 1st team. Congratulations to them both for the achievement.
Over the past number of years, our underage teams have competed against the likes of PSG, Celtic, Gent, West Ham United, Everton, Liverpool and Manchester City, consistently proving that our players belong at that level.
Later this year, the Academy will once again represent both the club and the League of Ireland in the UEFA Youth League, which is something everyone associated with the club is immensely proud of and excited for.
Our objective, as always, is to continue developing young players into senior professionals for this football club and beyond. That commitment to player development will always remain at the heart of everything we do."
Check out all of the photos and celebrations videos from the week on our Facebook, Instagram and X.
Photo credit: Jamie Gillespie
