Northern Ireland’s junior international manager has congratulated Eastern Region on winning this year’s UEFA Regions’ Cup play-off.
Teams from the Eastern Region and Western Region battled it out over two legs to decide which one will represent Northern Ireland in Regions’ Cup qualifiers later this year.
Junior international boss Harry McConkey praised the team from the East on winning the play-off.
He said: “It was evident in the build-up to these two games that the Western Region squad were going to meet a very strong and probably more experienced Eastern Region this time round.
“The difference for me was that in both boxes the East were more clinical and decisive in both games. However, in open play the West often matched the East and were competitive.
“This experience of trials and play-off games, putting on a Northern Ireland jersey and playing with other players from different clubs and levels can only but help them in their personal and football development.
“I am very grateful to all the club managers who trusted me with their players and to all my excellent staff team who continue to support me in the UEFA Regions’ Cup preparation.”
Following wins at both Stangmore Park in Dungannon and Wellington Rec’s ground in Larne, Eastern Region will now represent Northern Ireland in a 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 regional teams representing Albania, Italy and Slovakia. The winners of the four-team mini tournament will advance to the final tournament in the summer of 2027.
In October 2024 McConkey, who has managed Northern Ireland’s junior international side (featuring junior and intermediate level players) for 21 years, became the most experienced manager in the history of the UEFA Regions' Cup tournament, having overseen 47 matches at the helm of Northern Ireland.
And he will take charge of his 50th match in the Regions’ Cup mini tournament being held in Albania later this year.
The two regional teams in Northern Ireland 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 most recent set of Regions’ Cup qualifiers in 2024.
The Western Region squad for the latest play-off games featured:
Goalkeepers - Gareth Muldoon (Coagh 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 featured:
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).
Image: The victorious Eastern Region team.
