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Police in Northern Ireland are today questioning a man after young Dublin footballers came under sectarian attack at an international tournament in Coleraine.

A 19-year-old man was arrested after stones were thrown and sectarian abuse shouted at the children who were competing in the Milk Cup, one of Europe’s most prestigious youth football tournaments.

The attack happened at around 10.30pm last night at Cromore Court, near the loyalist Ballyfally estate, where Crumlin United and Cherry Orchard’s under 14 and under 16  youth teams were staying.

A PSNI spokeswoman confirmed they were investigating.

“It is understood a number of stones were thrown at a property and sectarian abuse shouted at a number of people staying in the area,” she said.

“Enquiries into the incident are continuing.”

Paul Clare, manager of Cherry Orchard, said the incident has upset some of the children.

“There was one lad who is under 15 and he was a little bit worried, he couldn’t really sleep,” he said.

“So I just had a chat with them today and told them it was only a silly drunk.” Mr Clare said one man who was drunk was singing sectarian songs while their accommodation came under attack from stones.

Both youth teams are being moved to other accommodation beside the University of Ulster in Coleraine for their own protection.