Rico relishing chance to take on cream of Europe

DAMIEN RICHARDSON is delighted to be involved with the sort of company the inaugural Dublin Super Cup will bring to the Aviva Stadium next month, having been yesterday named as manager of the Airtricity League XI.

Along with the domestic select, Celtic, Manchester City and Inter Milan make up the four-team tournament, with two games on both July 30 and 31.

Richardson will name a provision panel next week before whittling it down to a 22-man squad ahead of the tournament. Hampering his squad selection, however, will be Irish clubs’ participation in Europe. Sligo Rovers are scheduled to play in the third qualifying round of the Europa League either side of the Dublin tournament while Shamrock Rovers, in the Champions League, St Patrick’s Athletic and Bohemians would also hope to be still engaged in Europe.

“Because this is a competitive tournament it’s important that everyone who participates in it is committed to it,” said Richardson.

“If clubs are involved in Europe before and after it, players wouldn’t be able to give their full attention and managers wouldn’t want them to. It would be a fruitless exercise to include them. By announcing a larger squad and then pegging the numbers down nearer the time is the best way to get a proper team.”

Richardson insisted last year’s heavy defeat by Manchester United wasn’t disheartening for his players.

“It wasn’t a 7-1 game. Certain things went on in that game that won’t happen in this tournament. From what happened last year every player who played will be the better for it as an individual and a collective.”

The Airtricity XI open the tournament against FA Cup winners Manchester City before playing Scottish Cup holders Celtic the following day. Inter Milan versus Manchester City closes the tournament on the Sunday night.

“To play any of these clubs is appetising . Man City are the team everyone is talking about across Europe,” said Richardson.

Dublin Super Cup fixtures Saturday, July 30: Airtricity XI v Manchester City (2.0); Inter Milan v Celtic (4.30). Sunday, July 31: Airtricity XI v Celtic (2.0); Inter Milan v Manchester City (4.30).