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Belfast Live
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Gareth Fullerton

Gavin Whyte talks SuperCupNI, Andreas Pereira, taking on Man City and the class of Steven Davis

It's finals day at the 2019 SuperCupNI .

The massive youth football tournament has been a major part of Northern Ireland's sporting calendar for the past 36 years.

There have been some top players who graced the SuperCupNI stage over those three-and-a-half decades.

One is Northern Ireland winger Gavin Whyte.

Whyte played for Co Antrim's Premier team back in 2013.

We caught up with the Cardiff City's new signing to hear his memories of the tournament, and also some of the former Crusaders star's best moments of his career so far:

1. What year did you play in and who for?

I played for Co Antrim one year. I’m not 100% sure of the year but I think it was 2013 or '14.

Gavin Whyte in Co Antrim's colours

2. Do you remember how you got on?

I remember we played five games in five days. I played the first four games and missed the last one. I think we had two draws, two defeats and one win overall.

3. Do you remember where you stayed that week?

The hotel just next to Junction One in Antrim. The Dunsilly.

4. Do you remember any of the teams you played against, or notable opponents?

Yeah, we played against Manchester United in the first game and Andreas Pereira was playing. He was something else. My good pal Jordan Thompson was also playing left-back.

Andreas Pereira

5. Did any of your teammates from that squad go on to play in the Irish League or full-time football?

Not that I know of. I know Eoin Kane played for Ballymena United, and a few could be playing Championship but I don’t think any went across the water.

6. Fond memories?

I can remember doing the training for it up in Antrim Forum but I can’t really remember much of the week. What I do remember is the Sunday parade to the Coleraine Showgrounds. That was a very good day. The place was packed.

7. Toughest opponent you have come up against in your career?

I played against a boy who played for France U21s called Jordan Amavi who was in the Aston Villa first team at the time. I think he’s at AC Milan now. He was the hardest.

But the best I’ve played against would be Raheem Sterling and David Silva when Oxford United came up against Manchester City in the League Cup. They were a disgrace.

Man City's David Silva takes on the Oxford United defence

8. Best player you have played with?

I’d probably say Steven Davis. I love watching him play, even in training he doesn’t give the ball away. A class act.

9. Best team you have come up against?

Manchester City. I did a lot of running that night! Haha.

10. Honours you have won?

Two Young Player of the Year awards and one Player of the Year. I also won Ulster Footballer of the Year, six Player of the Month awards, and was in the Team of the Year twice, and a few other things. I’ve also got five Northern Ireland caps.

Gavin Whyte (right) scoring on his Northern Ireland debut

11. Career highlight?

Scoring a goal on my Northern Ireland debut at Windsor Park. I will definitely never forget that.

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