Niall McGinn says the SuperCupNI stood him in good stead for his career, which saw him win over 70 caps for Northern Ireland.
Speaking as he helped make the draw for the 40th anniversary of the tournament at the home of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council last night the former Celtic man spoke of his fond memories in representing County Tyrone twice in the competition.
“I have some fantastic memories from playing at the tournament and it helped to stand me in good stead and gave me the belief and confidence that I could perform at the highest level," said McGinn.
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“The SuperCupNI offers a unique experience for local players, and it can help you to launch your career and give you the platform from which to go on and achieve whatever you want to set your mind to.
"When I was playing in it I never thought I would go on and have the career I had.
"You're playing for sheer enjoyment. My mum was driving my up and down the country and I was going to trials with maybe a couple of hundred kids and then you get whittled down to maybe 30.
"Then you had the excitement of being involved in that squad and going to play in the actual tournament.
"I was just delighted I could play for my county and represent Tyrone in the competition.
"It was a big thing for me being a local boy from Donaghmore. Stuff like that is just memories which will last forever."
Things have a lot since McGinn played in the tournament over two decades ago.
With social media a lot of the young players playing in the competition are already well-known and the Glentoran winger says it is a great opportunity for the footballing public to see the stars of the future.
He said: "We see these young players coming through at the likes of Manchester United, Celtic and Rangers, and to have them in your own backyard in Northern Ireland is good for the local fans as these guys might be first team players in a few years time.
"Look at the likes of Marcus Rashford who played here with United and has gone on to have the sort of career he's had so far.
"It's a tournament which has stood a lot of players in good stead and has shown with the amount of players who have played here and went on to have very good careers."
There were some tantalising group draws as Celtic were paired with Glentoran, Loughgall and Finn Harps in the Minor Section.
In the Junior section, Antrim were placed in a tantalising group with Rangers FC, Kilmarnock and Donegal Schoolboys.
In the Premier section, Manchester United will face County Fermanagh and that group also includes Japanese regulars Ichifuna and Dundalk Schoolboys League.
Tournament debutants Brighton and Hove Albion and Tigres UANL from Mexico will face Down and Surf Select.
The 2023 tournament kicks off on Sunday 23rd July with the welcoming ceremony in Coleraine and concludes with finals day on Friday 28th July.
Matches will be played across three council areas, Causeway, Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Minor U13 Draw
Group A – Linfield, Warrenpoint Town, IDA Bermuda and Belvedere FC.
Group B – Glenavon FC, Coleraine FC, Portstewart FC and Kilmarnock FC.
Group C – Dungannon United Youth, Larne FC, Ballymena United FC and Surf Select (USA).
Group D – Glentoran, Loughgall FC, Finn Harps and Glasgow Celtic.
Junior U14 Draw
Group A – County Armagh, County Londonderry, FC America and Stevenage FC.
Group B – County Down, County Tyrone, Prospects 2 Pro Academy (Canada) and West Ham United.
Group C – County Antrim, Kilmarnock FC, Donegal Schools and Rangers FC.
Group D – County Fermanagh, St Mirren FC, Plymouth Argyle and Charlton Athletic.
Premier U16 Draw
Group A – County Antrim, County Tyrone, Northeast Rush (USA) and Newcastle United.
Group B – County Down, Tigres UANL (Mexico), Surf Select (USA) and Brighton and Hove Albion.
Group C – County Armagh, County Londonderry, St Kevin’s FC and Rangers FC.
Group D – County Fermanagh, Ichifuna (Japan) Dundalk Schoolboys League and Manchester United.
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