United break Tyrone hearts

Tyrone were just seconds from taking the decider to a penalty shoot-out only for striker Oliver McBurney to pop up with a stoppage time winner – his fifth goal of the week.

Tyrone had put up a brave resistance in front of a vociferous support and grew in confidence as the game wore on.

A bumper crowd of more than 3,600 – a record for the tournament – watched finals night in what was a memorable night with two county sides involved between the Junior and Premier finales.

The first half of this Premier Section was a quiet affair with chances at a premium.

United enjoyed more than their fair share of possession but they rarely stretched the boys of Tyrone who looked comfortable in keeping their discipline.

Skipper Andreas Pereria had the first chance of the game when he stung Patrick Molloy’s hands from outside the box in the sixth minute.

McBurney was then denied by Molloy’s smart save low to his right.

Less than a minute into the second half the Reds Devils survived a scared when the referee waved away Mark Megarry’s penalty claims after going down under Tyler Reid’s challenge inside the box.

Pereira then found some rare space on the edge of the box to get his shot away and only the base of Molloy’s right hand post denied the first goal of the contest.

McBurney tested Molloy with a fizzing shot that forced the keeper into a neat save.

He didn’t have much of a respite however as Demetri Mitchell tested him from the edge of the box and, yet again, he showed strong hands to clear the danger.

The winner came as the game ticked into overtime with a set-piece finally deciding the destination of the trophy.

Andreas Pereria swung over the corner from the righ that McBurney headed home off the underside of the crossbar.

Megarry was then claiming a penalty in injury time after colliding with the keeper, but the appeals were waved away.

United’s triumph was their first Milk Cup victory since 2009 and now means that they have now lifted the trophy five times.

And speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, Paul McGuinness was effusive in his praise for United who looked a class above throughout the tournament.

“It was great for them to get the victory and they’re following in some good footsteps,” he said.

“We played all amateur teams, rather than professional sides, so you have to be realistic as it’s hard to gauge how good they are but they’ve had a great time and mixed really well. Tyrone made it difficult and their goalkeeper was outstanding – he made three or four fantastic saves.

“In terms of Oliver McBurnie – I think what we will do is pay tribute to Bradford who loaned him to us. He enjoyed his week and will go back there a better player so it’s great for everybody.”

County Tyrone: Molloy, Deery, Edgar, Mallon, Young, Crawford, Lowe, Lavery, Megarry, McConnell (Porter), Duffy.

Manchester United: J Pereira, Reid, Thompson, Tuanzebe, Borthwick-Jackson, Riley (Rashford), Wilock, Croskery, McBurney, Mitchell, A Pereira

FRIDAY’S RESULTS

JUNIOR SECTION

Plate play-off Dundalk SL 0 San Luis de Colina 3

Plate final Co Fermanagh 1 Ipswich Town 5

Bowl play-off Co Londonderry 5 Co Armagh 1

Plate final Southampton 1 Cavan & Monaghan 2

Vase play-off North Dublin SL 4 Swindon Town 0

Vase final Japan FA 3 Brentford 2

Globe play-off Co Down 2 Plymouth Argyle 0

Globe final Co Tyrone 1 Strikers FC 2

Milk Cup play-off Liverpool 6 Watford 2

Milk Cup final Co Antrim 1 Everton 1 (Everton win 4-3 on pens)

PREMIER SECTION

Plate play-off Co Fermanagh 1 Tus Alternberge 2

Plate final Bohemians 1 O’Higgins 0

Bowl play-off Otago 0 Vendee 3

Bowl final Co Down 0 Co Londonderry 0

Vase play-off Co Antrim 2 Strikers FC 0

Vase final Co Armagh 1 Cruz Azul 3

Globe play-off Corinthians 3 Club America de Mexico 2

Globe final Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0

Milk Cup play-off CSKA Moscow 6 Cherry Orchard 1

Milk Cup Final County Tyrone 0 Manchester United 1