Ryan Tunnicliffe and Darren Stuart battle in the Man Utd-Co Antrim game

A last-minute goal by James Lawrie helped holders Northern Ireland beat Germany 3-2 in Ballymoney in their Elite Section opener at the Milk Cup.

Germany levelled twice to cancel out an own goal and a Eunan O'Kane strike.

In Monday's other Elite Section games, Bulgaria defeated Israel 2-0 while Denmark edged out the USA 2-1.

Premier holders Manchester United defeated County Antrim 3-0 in their opener while Junior champions Everton beat Donegal SL 5-1 on Monday.

Co Down juniors beat Spartak Moscow 2-0 while Shane Meenan hit six goals in Co Londonderry's 8-0 win over FA Jerusalem.

In the Elite opener at the Riada Stadium in Ballymoney, Tommy Grupe's own goal put Northern Ireland ahead but Willi Eseev levelled before the interval with a superb free kick.

Eunan O'Kane restored Northern Ireland's lead in the 54th minute before Kevin Volland levelled 10 minutes from time with a low angled shot.

Newcastle United's Paddy McLaughlin then hit the German woodwork but Port Vale's James Lawrie, who earned a full Northern Ireland cap against Italy last month, hit the late winner.

Luke Conlon and Aaron Sills scored Down Juniors' goals in their surprise 2-0 win over the Russians.

Gavin Duffy and Michael Duffy joined Meenan in hitting the target for Co Londonderry with the double hat-trick hero also missing a penalty.

County Armagh held Hull City to a 0-0 draw but Counties Tyrone, Antrim and Fermanagh all suffered defeats.

Tyrone were beaten 4-1 by Plymouth, Watford accounted for Antrim 2-0 while AIK Stockholm defeated Fermanagh 3-1.

Maccabi Tel Aviv hammered Mexicans Club Necaxa 7-0 while Chelsea defeated Dundalk 3-1 in their opener.

In the Premier competition, there were wins for Co Down and Co Londonderry while there was another Irish success as Dubliners Cherry Orchard beat FC Porto 1-0.

Down defeated Trudovye Rezervy 4-1 while Londonderry edged out Burnley 1-0 in Limavady.

Also in the Premier competiton, Co Armagh held Club Cantolao to a 0-0 draw but Co Tyrone were edged out 1-0 by Sheffield United.

A full round of group games are being played on Monday and Tuesday, with the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Milk Cup results/fixtures

Monday 27 July

Elite Section

Northern Ireland 3-2 Germany
Israel 0-2 Bulgaria
USA 1-2 Denmark

Premier Section

Co Fermanagh 0-4 Fenerbahce
South Coast Bayern 1-0 Watford
Desportivo 2-0 Cruz Azul
Co Armagh 0-0 Club Cantolao
Sheffield Utd 1-0 Co Tyrone
Otago 1-1 Shamrock Rovers
Manchester Utd 3-0 Co Antrim
Co Down 4-1 Trudovye Rezervy
Burnley 0-1 Co Londonderry
Cherry Orchard 1-0 FC Porto

Junior Section

Co Londonderry 8-0 The FAJ
Maccabi Tel Aviv 7-0 Club Necaxa
Hull City 0-0 Co Armagh
AB Copenhagen 3-2 Queen of the South
Co Antrim 0-2 Watford
Maccabi Haifa 2-2 Club Pachuca
AIK Stockholm 3-1 Co Fermanagh
Dundalk SL 1-3 Chelsea
Donegal SL 1-5 Everton
Plymouth 4-1 Co Tyrone
Spartak Moscow 0-2 Co Down
North Dublin SL 0-1 Swindon Town

Tuesday 28 July

Premier Section

Fenerbahce 1-0 Sheffield Utd
Co Antrim 3-2 Cherry Orchard
FC Porto 2-1 Otago
Trudovye Rezervy 5-3 Burnley
Shamrock Rovers 0-0 Co Armagh
Co Londonderry 0-2 Desportivo Brasil
Co Tyrone 0-1 South Coast Bayern
Watford 1-1 Co Down
Club Cantolao 0-4 Manchester Utd

Junior Section

Co Armagh 3-1 AB Copenhagen
Co Fermanagh 0-0 Dundalk SL
Queen of the South 1-5 Co Antrim
Club Necaxa 1-3 Hull City
Club Pachuca 6-0 Co Londonderry
Everton 1-0 Spartak Moscow
Swindon Town 4-2 Maccabi Tel Aviv
The FAJ 0-7 Plymouth Argyle
Co Down 2-0 North Dublin SL
Co Tyrone 1-1 Donegal SL
Watford 4-0 AIK Stockholm
Chelsea 4-3 Maccabi Haifa

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