The Budget Energy SuperCupNI youth football tournament is underway with matches across Northern Ireland. County Antrim's Boys' Premier Section team includes Lennon McCann, whose father is Glentoran first-team coach Tim McCann.

Tim McCann stated that watching his son compete brings more anxiety than he ever felt as a player, including appearances in Irish Cup finals at Windsor Park before 16,000 spectators.

Lennon McCann is making his second tournament appearance but his first representing the county rather than a club. His team faces a group containing Manchester United, Rangers, and Intercontinental FA.

The coach described the tournament as offering a professional experience for young players, with large crowds and scouts from professional clubs attending. He said many lives have been transformed through the event, leading to careers in the Irish League and abroad.

McCann pointed to increased pathways for local players to join academies, crediting the tournament with raising visibility of the Irish League. He highlighted Glentoran midfielder Cammy Palmer, who recently transferred to Livingston, as an example of the standard.

The competition is supported by headline sponsor Budget Energy along with partners including Tourism NI, three local councils, Sterling Insurance, Creagh Concrete, and Uhlsport.