LOOKING AHEAD… Ronan Beattie
STARRING in his first Milk Cup, Enniskillen Town defender Ronan Beattie has overcome an injury that kept him out for a few weeks to leave himself in pole position for next week’s tournament.
The 14-year-old from Enniskillen didn’t trial for last year’s squad, but was delighted to have made the cut this time around.
“I always wanted to be in the Milk Cup – I’d a number of relatives who’d been on it and I couldn’t wait for the trials to start. I was surprised that I made it,” he said.
“Training has been hard – there’s been a lot of fitness work that you don’t want to do but you know is needed. But you do enjoy it.”
He said that he has seen a marked improvement in his own performance.
“I’ve improved because I’ve been playing with better players – I think there’s been a big difference with that and what Ryan (Beacom, coach) has been teaching us.”
As for the tournament itself, he said: “It is pretty scary, but it what you come to the Milk Cup for, to play football against the big teams, so we’ll be ready for the challenge.
“People have said it’s the best weeks of their lives – and when the opportunity came they’re glad they took it, and that’s why I did.”
The juniors kick off their campaign today (Monday July 28) against Corinthians from 1.30pm. Keep an eye on fermanaghherald.com to see how they get on.