Northern Ireland has 'uncut football diamonds'

The sixth annual Tesco Cup competition reaches the Northern Irish national final stage, with the nation having plenty to prove as they look to emulate last year's success.

Linfield's Under-13 boys, and Newry Girls in the Under-14's claimed two of the three age groups in 2010's UK Grand Final, having been under the watchful eye of former Northern Ireland midfielder Jim Magilton in the national stage, and he returns again this year as Ambassador for the day.

More than 60,000 girls and boys, across 3,600 teams are competing this year as the Tesco Cup continues to grow. The winners of Saturday's event at Stangmore Park in Dungannon will go through to the overall final, which takes place on May 22nd at Birmingham City's St Andrews stadium.

Having seen the level of last year's competition, Jim Magilton believes it showcased the level at which Northern Irish kids are at, and he's hoping for more of the same in 2011.