WATFORD were again invited back to Northern Ireland's prestigious Milk Cup tournament in late July 2008.

The week-long tournament is renowned in youth football for the quality of teams from all over the world that gather in Northern Ireland.

The Hornets took two teams this year, an under 15s side which competed in the junior section, and an under 17s squad who competed in the premier section.

Watford's touring party

Academy boss Mark Warburton and Assistant Academy manger for 12-16s Nick Cox, each took charge of a squad - with Cox looking after the younger of the two.

After flying over on Sunday 27 July, the Golden Boys took part in the large opening ceremony, which this year featured Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Hornets make their way through the crowd

Then it was down to the football with five games in the space of five days for both sides.

Here is who represented Watford at the Milk Cup 2008 and how the two squads got on.

Junior section (under 15s):

The Junior squad

Squad:
 
Junior Squad (players born on or after 1st January, 1993)
 
Jonathan Bond, Jack Bonham, Brandon Horner, Adam Fenwick, Matthew Bevans, Oli Archer, Jack Warburton, Charlie Kasler, Sean Murray, Patrick Drmola, Michael Kalu, Mani O'Sullivan, Oli Sprague, Trey Horne, Tommie Hoban, Nick Burtenshaw, Vjorn Sultana, Aaron Tumwa, Dom Ball, Bernard Mensah, Austin Eaton.  Standby: Luke O'Nien
 
Mon 28 July - Watford 2 v 3 Rosenborg - Roe Mill, Limavady (Group game)
Tues 29 July - Co. Fermanagh 0 v 0 Watford - Riada Stadium, Ballymoney (Group game)
Wed 30 July - Watford 3 v 0 Dundalk SL - Riada Stadium, Ballymoney (Dunluce Trophy Quarter Finals)
Thurs 31 July - Co. Londonderry 3 v 3 Watford (Watford won 3-1 on pens) - Parker Avenue, Portrush (Dunluce trophy Semi Finals)
Fri 1 Aug - Brondby 2 v 0 Watford - Roe Mill, Limavady (Dunluce Trophy Final)
                 
Premier section (under 17s):

The Premier squad

Senior Squad - (Premier section - players born on or after 1st January, 1991)
 
Bo Antal, Jamie Irving, Lee Hodson, Eddie Oshodi, Faisal Hemati, Theo Angus, Cole Penny, Kurtney Brooks, Rob Kiernan, Fabrice Otshudi, Piero Mingoia, Matt Whichelow, Andy Yiadom, Marvin Sordell, Adam Thompson, Chez Isaac, Gavin Massey, Jake Rosier.

Midfielder Piero Mingoia in action

Mon 28 July - Watford 3 v 2 English Colleges FA - Roe Mill, Limavady (Group game)
Tues 29 July - Co. Antrim 0 v 2 Watford - Parker Avenue, Portrush (Group game)
Wed 30 July - Watford 4 v 0 Drogheda Utd - Ballymena Showgrounds (Quarter Finals)
Thurs 31 July - Watford 2 v 4 Manchester United - Showgrounds, Ballymena (Semi Finals)
Fri 1 Aug - Watford 2 v 1 Hearts - Anderson Park, Coleraine (3rd/4th play-off)

Click on the links below to read daily reports and a diary from Academy defender Lee Hodson.
Milk Cup day one - click here.
Milk Cup day two - click here.
Milk Cup day three - click here.
Milk Cup day four - click here.
Milk Cup day five - click here.

Lee Hodson's diary part one - click here.
Lee Hodson's diary part two - click here.
Lee Hodson's diary part three - click here.
 
Check out the excellent BBC Northern Ireland sport website here which features videos from this year's tournament.

The official Milk Cup website can be viewed by clicking here.  
 

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