Teams from the Eastern Region and Western Region are set to battle it out this month to decide which one will represent Northern Ireland in UEFA Regions’ Cup qualifiers later this year.
They will be competing in two play-off matches, with the winner representing Northern Ireland in a Regions’ Cup preliminary round mini tournament in Albania in October/November.
The first East v West play-off match is due to be staged at Dungannon’s Stangmore Park on Wednesday (18 February). Kick-off time is 7.45pm.
The second leg is pencilled in for Wednesday 4 March (7:45pm start). The venue is TBC.
Admission for both fixtures will be £5 for adults and £3 for concessions (cash gate only).
Overseeing the two games will be Harry McConkey, who has managed Northern Ireland’s junior international side (featuring junior and intermediate level players) for almost 15 years.
In October 2024 McConkey (pictured) became the most experienced manager in the history of the UEFA Regions' Cup tournament, having overseen 47 matches at the helm of Northern Ireland.
He will take charge of his 50th match in the UEFA Regions’ Cup 2026/27 preliminary round mini tournament being held in Albania between 28 October and 5 November this year.
Northern Ireland have been drawn in the same group as Albania, Italy and Slovakia. The winners of the four-team mini tournament will advance to the final tournament in the summer of 2027.
The two regions teams here are determined by the council area in which the players’ clubs are based.
Western Region covers Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Derry City and Strabane District Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and Mid Ulster District Council.
And Eastern Region covers Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, Ards and North Down District Council, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council, Mid and East Antrim District Council and Newry City, Mourne and Down District Council.
Western Region represented Northern Ireland in the previous Regions’ Cup qualifiers in 2024.
The Western Region squad features:
Goalkeepers - Gareth Muldoon (Limavady United), Kristian O’Hagan (Ardmore).
Defenders - Aaron McLaughlin, Luke Henderson and Johnny McKeown (all Dergview), Zach Dougherty (Newbuildings), Peter Armstrong (Ballinamallard United), Matthew Colhoun (Maiden City), Conan Campbell (Strathroy Harps).
Midfielders - Charlie Simpson, Darren Robb and Lorcan Toner (all Newbuildings), John McLean (Desertmartin), Cahir McMonagle (Institute), Oisin Campbell (Strathroy Harps).
Forwards - Declan Martin (Desertmartin), Sean McCallion (Strabane Athletic), Jack Beatty (Ballinamallard United), Jake Martin (Limavady United), Tommy McLaughlin (Moyola Park).
The Eastern Region squad features:
Goalkeepers - Gerard Walker (H&W Welders), Marc Orbinson (Ards Rangers).
Defenders - Gareth Henderson and Curtis Brown (both Derriaghy CC), Joe Diver (St James’ Swifts), Connall Murray (Warrenpoint Town), Dan Mairs (Queen’s University), Mick Byrne (Donegal Celtic), Aodhfionn Casey (Newington).
Midfielders - Richard Gowdy and Patrick Downey (both Newington), Mark Lyons (Crumlin Star), Chris Middleton (Queen’s University), Charlie Dornan (Dundela), Nicholas Napier (Derriaghy CC).
Forwards: Jackson Reid (Newington), Jack Riley (Ards), Callum James (Holywood), Johnny Ewart (Dollingstown), Matthew Herron (Lisburn Distillery).
