Northern Ireland’s Under-16 team lifted the inaugural Gary Speed Cup in Wales after defeating hosts Cymru in their third and final game in the tournament.
The 2-1 victory, secured with a last gasp winner, meant the U16s won all three of their matches - they also defeated Gibraltar and Japan - and deservedly secured the trophy following three fine performances.
Competition
Cwpan Gary Speed (Gary Speed Cup)
Scoreline
Cymru (Wales) U16s 1-2 Northern Ireland U16s
Scorers
Cymru: Bobby Lewis
Northern Ireland: Daniel McCarron, Harry Hughes
Venue
Colwyn Bay FC, Colwyn Bay
Date
31 August 2025
Team News
Head coach Kris Lindsay made five changes to the starting line-up for Northern Ireland’s third and final game in the inaugural Gary Speed Cup.
He was looking to build on an 8-0 win against Gibraltar and a 1-0 win over Japan in their previous two games in the tournament.
Defender Daniel McCarron, midfielders Harry Hughes, Liam Kelly and Jayden Doyle as well as forward Odhran McHugh were brought in, while defender Cohen Ennis, midfielder Cillian Murray and attackers Noah Vaugh, Mason Ayre and Rocco Devlin dropped to the bench.
The Cwpan Gary Speed (Gary Speed Cup) is a new invitational U16 football tournament being held in North Wales to honour the legacy of former Wales international and manager Gary Speed, a pivotal figure in Welsh football who tragically passed away in 2011.
The Northern Ireland squad is largely made up of players from the Irish FA JD Academy.
How it happened
Wales, who drew 2-2 with Japan in their opening game and followed that up with a 3-0 win over Gibraltar, started at full tilt in what was effectively a winner-takes-all encounter and the Northern Ireland defence had to be on their toes to repel a dangerous delivery from a corner.
But Lindsay’s team settled quickly after that and pushed forward. Striker Odhran McHugh almost latched on to a great ball over the top, and minutes later he fired a shot just past the post.
On 14 minutes Welsh attacker Paul Moreno got on the end of a loose ball and smashed a shot against the base of the post. He was then slipped in by Bobby Lewis but squeezed his effort wide of the post.
Throughout the half Harry Hughes and Jude Crawford combined well down Northern Ireland’s right flank. Midway through the half Crawford found Hughes with a crisp pass and the attacking midfielder cleverly jinked his way to the bye-line before firing in a decent cross, however the Welsh defence were alert to it and cleared the danger.
On 30 minutes winger Jayden Doyle tested Cymru keeper Harry Barrow with a rasping shot which Barrow managed to push around the post.
There were few chances in the first half, however Northern Ireland largely controlled proceedings and produced some slick build-up play. They kept the Welsh defence busy.
Half-time: Cymru U16s 0-0 Northern Ireland U16s
After the restart McHugh created space for himself on the edge of the area, however his low shot was straight at the keeper.
Wales took the lead on 57 minutes. Moreno was heavily involved in the build-up as he twisted and turned away from markers and fed substitute Ralphie Beckwith whose cross into the six-yard box was tucked away by Lewis.
Northern Ireland continued to press and produced an equaliser in the 76th minute. After some head tennis from a corner the ball was eventually nodded home at the far post by Daniel McCarron.
Cymru huffed and puffed but could not find a way past a solid Northern Ireland defence.
And deep into added time Northern Ireland, with senior men’s team boss Michael O’Neill watching on, deservedly bagged a winner.
Substitute Michael Mulholland broke down the left and squared the ball to fellow sub Rocco Devlin. His shot was saved by the Welsh keeper, however Hughes was on hand to slot the rebound home from close range.
Afterwards Lindsay said: “It was a really positive week for the players, culminating in winning the tournament. Over the three games, facing different opposition with different playing styles, the players showed a maturity to solve problems in and out of possession and got their rewards with three victories.
“To be the first ever winners of the Gary Speed Cup is a special achievement and one that the players should be proud of.”
Full-time: Cymru U16s 1-2 Northern Ireland U16s
Line-ups
Cymru U16s: Harry Barrow, Tom Alcock, Hugo Daniel, Noah Anyadike, Ali Tucker, Archie Walls (captain), Axel Donczew, Alffi Hughes, Paul Moreno, Bobby Lewis, Gruffydd Evans.
Substitutes: Oscar Hatton, Sonny Peyton, Dembo Jaiteh, George Williams, Jayden Smyth, Leo Kelleher, Alfie Thomas, Ralphie Beckwith, Jonatan Petheram, Harrison Brown, Munya Msipa.
Northern Ireland U16s: Phoenix Blayney, Jude Crawford, Alfie Mulvenna, Alfie Pollock, Daniel McCarron, Conor Wilson, Liam Kelly, Adam Nelson (captain), Odhran McHugh, Harry Hughes, Jayden Doyle.
Substitutes: Matthew Belshaw (GK), Preston McKeown, Cohen Ennis, Rory Prenter, Bailey Magee, Cillian Murray, Jay Forsythe, Noah Vaugh, Mason Ayre, Rocco Devlin, Michael Mulholland.
Pictures courtesy of Football Association of Wales
Action from Cymru
