The first round of this season’s Irish FA Harry Cavan Youth Cup, sponsored by Dale Farm Protein Milk, kicks off this weekend.
Cup holders Cliftonville Strollers will begin their defence of the U19/U18 trophy with a trip to Fermanagh to face Ballinamallard United’s U18s.
Unfortunately Institute U18s, who lost 5-1 to the Reds in last season’s decider at Mill Meadow in Castledawson, have not entered a team this time around.
But 32 teams will be vying for Northern Ireland’s premier youth trophy – and they will all be in action in the first round kicking off on Friday evening with three games. All other ties take place in Saturday 2 October.
The heavyweight clashes in the first stage of the Dale Farm Protein Milk-backed competition involve U18 teams from NIFL Danske Bank Premiership clubs: Crusaders v Linfield Rangers and Coleraine against Ballymena United, the tie of the round.
The first round (ties kick off at 1330, 2 October unless stated)
Rosario YC U18 v Glenavon U18, 1 October (8pm)
Lisnaskea Rovers U18 v Mountjoy United
Maiden City U18 v Loughgall FC U18
Dungannon Swifts U18 v Bangor U18
Carrick Rangers U18 v Ballymoney United U18
Berlin Swifts v Ards U18
Larne Youth v Dundela U18 (2pm)
Portadown Youth v Limavady United U18
Glentoran Colts v Bangor FA U18
Crusaders U18 v Linfield Rangers
Celtic Bhoys Academy v Craigavon City U19, 1 October (8pm)
St Oliver Plunkett U18 v Moyola Park Youth
St Mary’s Newtownabbey U18/U19 v Ballyclare Comrades U18 (11am)
Coleraine U18 v Ballymena United U18 *Tie of the round* 1 October (8pm)
Ballinamallard United U18 v Cliftonville Strollers
Warrenpoint Town U18 v Fivemiletown United U19
