Girls’ Super Cup: Local teams take on ‘tough’ overseas opposition

The Liverpool game was watched by a healthy crowd including Antrim and Newtownabbey Mayor Henry Cushinan and Deputy Mayor Alison Bennington.

Bennington is a former Northern Ireland international, with 24 caps for the women’s side after making her debut in 1973.

“If Liverpool are coming here, if Manchester United are coming here, it’s a big competition,” she said.

“Fair play to the guys and the girls who have organised behind the scenes, bringing those teams here.

“It’s taken a long time in Northern Ireland for football to develop, from how I played way back in the 70s, but how it’s coming on now is absolutely fantastic.

“The young ones, and I see the young kiddies here watching the matches, taking part, wanting to be ball girls and how they’re developing and they’re the senior players playing, I’m very emotional about it.”

Cushinan said the tournament had lots of benefits for the local area as well as for the teams taking part.

“It’s great for the area to bring international guests in, it’s a great benefit for hotels and local businesses.

“If people come and visit here for football they’ll maybe come back and visit us again,” he said.