Even as the competition nears its 30th year, the Milk Cup remains the hottest ticket in town.

Fans have flooded through the turnstiles at grounds from Ballymena to the North West hoping to catch an early glimpse of the stars of the future and tournament organisers are thrilled once again by the level of enthusiasm shown by local football fanatics.

Steve Beaglehole's Northern Ireland side go into tonight's Elite Section final with Denmark having benefited from fantastic support all week, especially during Wednesday's win over Georgia.

In that game, at Ballymena Showgrounds, the local youngsters put on a terrific display with a succession of free-flowing moves enthralling a watching crowd that included national team boss Nigel Worthington.

And it's not just the Northern Ireland team that have proven popular — the Milk Cup has an unrivalled reputation for showcasing rising stars and fans have been taking the opportunity to see the junior sides of some Premier League high-flyers.

Games involving Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have pulled in impressive crowds and Spurs' Academy manager John McDermott has been delighted to see the level of support for his team across the Irish Sea.

He said: “I've got to say thanks to all the support we've received from Northern Ireland — there are Spurs shirts everywhere!”

And those fans believe they have seen — in the form of Kenneth McEvoy — the next in line to follow in the footsteps of former Milk Cup stars such as David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Robbie Fowler.

The winger has been in flying form all week with his two goals against Co Fermanagh drawing comparisons to some of the goals scored by current White Hart Lane hero Gareth Bale.

McEvoy's trickery and pace have contributed to one of the most impressive individual showings, according to Milk Cup regulars, since Nicky Barmby won the player of tournament award in 1990.

And it has been a case of like father, like son for the Barmby family with Nicky's son Jack emulating the form of his dad with three goals in his first three games. And Barmby's goals, among 15 that ‘Fergie's fledglings’ managed in their three group games, have proven popular with Manchester United's many fans.

With today's showpiece finals set to cap off an excellent and absorbing week, football fans throughout the country are already looking forward to next year's competition.