Northern Ireland’s junior international manager has presented caps to players who represented their country in the UEFA Regions’ Cup.
Harry McConkey is gearing up for another Regions’ Cup campaign this autumn, however the Junior international boss was focused on the previous two campaigns at a caps presentation held at the Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park.
McConkey presented international caps to the Eastern Region squad which represented Northern Ireland in the competition in 2022 and members of the Western Region squad who represented their country in 2024.
He explained: “The UEFA Regions’ Cup is a tremendously prestigious tournament for players in the amateur game throughout Europe.
“The criteria is extremely strict and restrictive when we already have such a small pool of players in our regions compared to other countries in Europe. Players must never have played one minute in the Premiership or never have signed a professional form at any stage in their career.
“They also must have been registered with a club in their region for the past two years, have been registered continuously in the jurisdiction of the Irish FA for the last two years and, finally, must be 19 years of age or more on the first day of the tournament.”
Northern Ireland have consistently managed to punch above their weight in the competition for intermediate and junior level players. In 2007 in Bulgaria, 2013 in Italy and 2015 in Dublin the team successfully navigated the qualifiers and made the finals where eight teams play in two groups of four and the group winners contest the final.
McConkey noted the 2022 squad, who played regional teams from Wales, Czech Republic and Sweden in Northern Ireland, were close to making the final eight, but were pipped by a strong Czech side.
He also said the 2024 side played extremely well in their first game in Switzerland but were pipped 1-0 by a strong host nation in Nyon. They then lost 2-1 to Republic of Ireland (Munster Region) and defeated Georgia 1-0 in their final game.
He further pointed out: “The players who represent Northern Ireland in this great tournament do not only receive a wonderful football experience but also an incredible life experience.
“The awarding of the caps to my players is a very emotional and a truly heartfelt moment for me. I see it as a gesture of great personal thanks and a tangible recognition of their commitment to the Regions’ Cup campaign. Their UEFA Regions’ Cup cap is something they can show with great pride to their families and friends forever and a day.”
The Junior international boss thanked Irish FA Deputy President Maurice Johnston and David King from the Junior International Committee for assisting with the presentation of the caps, and Paul Gibson at the IFA for organising the event.
McConkey also had a meet-up with his current squad prior to the event at the National Stadium.
After defeating Western Region in a play-off back in March, Eastern Region will represent Northern Ireland in a Regions’ Cup 2026/27 preliminary round mini tournament in Albania between 28 October and 5 November.
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 this autumn.
The Caps Presentation
