Hopes are high that Ards will be making a mark at this summer's Milk Cup tournament with five players named today in the County Down squad.

The lucky group will compete in the Premier Section at under 16 level and includes first-teamer Gary Sharratt, along with Ryan Newberry, Kerri Grant, Mark Drysdale and Conor Killen.

Those players' inclusion in the squad caps a very rewarding season which saw the Ards under 16 side run Shankill Juniors close in the Lisburn Youth League, with the local boys eventually having to settle for second place.

16 year-old Sharratt was the side's top goal-scorer and made his debut for the Ards first team in the final Premier League match of the season against Coleraine. Ryan Newberry was named by his manager as the Player of the Year earlier this month, while Kerri Grant was nominated as 'most improved' player.

The annual Milk Cup tournament takes place in several towns around the North West of Northern Ireland and kicks off for the boys on 31st July with a match against Cruz Azul.

ardsfc.co.uk