Manager of the Fermanagh Milk Cup Under-14 squad, John Quinn, has said that preparations for the upcoming international under age football event are 'going well'.
John says that the boys have been playing in a lot of tournaments recently and this has meant that their fitness levels are improving all the time.
Just over a week ago, the squad travelled over to Glasgow where they played Glasgow Rangers. And even though the Fermanagh lads were defeated 5-1, the manager says it was good to get a big game played and over with.
John says that the game against Rangers was longer than the boys would be used to and this showed as they tired near the end.
Looking forward to the Milk Cup, John Quinn says that the Under-14s have been drawn to play against two Mexican teams; Guadalajara and FC Puebla.
"These two teams will be something of an unknown quantity for us but that all adds to the excitement of the Milk Cup."
And while the manager said that they had no direct experience of either side he said that they would be familiar with the way they play - 'fast, quick and skilful'.
John Quinn heads to the Milk Cup with a squad of 18 players, which has been whittled down from over 60 boys who initially attended trials for the squad.
"In March, we started trials across the county, which were attended by between 60 and 70 kids. By April, this was reduced to about 30 and by early to mid-June the squad was down to the 18 players we have now," says John Quinn.
The manager says he has a good team who work well together in a team. All the boys play club football in the county and so all already know each other fairly well.
John explains that while many of the boys in the older age group (U-16s, which John Quinn managed last year) would now be playing senior football in the Fermanagh and Western (F&W) the younger lads in his squad would mostly be involved in youth football and, therefore, still have a lot to learn.
"This is the first year in the Milk Cup for all of these guys. They will be nervous, of course, but a lot of them will have a fair amount of experience in big games."
The Under-14s kick off their Milk Cup campaign on Monday, 30th July when they play Guadalajara at Rugby Avenue Stadium, Coleraine. On Tuesday, the '14s' play FC Puebla at Broughshane.
Asked about what the Fermanagh Under-14s chances are, the manager says the middle competition is a 'realistic target'. "If we pick up a win between the two games then we have a good chance of going into the middle competition. That's what we would be hoping for."
Talking about the team, John says that they are a good attacking side, who will create chances. And they are strong down the middle, which should prove useful in this premier youth football competition.
