Talks on Euro 2012 screenings in city

BEHIND-THE-SCENES discussions are currently underway to decide whether or not people in Londonderry will get to watch the Three Lions or The Boys in Green contest the European Championship in Waterloo place this summer, the Sentinel can reveal.

It has not yet been decided whether Londonderry football fans will get a chance to cheer heroes like Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Keith Andrews and Glenn Whelan when the UEFA Euro 2012 kicks off in June.

The Sentinel can also reveal that when it comes to the Olympics being screened on Londonderry’s new open air cinema priority will be given to local athletes taking part in the games.

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So in terms of the Olympics it doesn’t matter if you are wearing Red, White and Blue or Green, White and Orange, if you are from around here you’ll be televised live in the city centre.

But the matter of whether to televise matches involving England - the only team from the United Kingdom to have qualified - or our southern cousins, the Republic of Ireland - which may yet include squad members from Londonderry and Lifford - has not been decided.

A spokesperson for Derry City Council said it is still possible every single European Championship match will be shown.

This option would ensure those following England as well as those interested in checking out the progress of the likes of Darron Gibson, James McClean, Shane Duffy and Shay Given - potentially - would all be happy.

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A spokesperson said “discussions are currently underway” on whether or not to show all the Euro 2012 matches, all the England matches or all the Republic of Ireland matches.

The Sentinel also asked if there was any protocol regarding the airing of events featuring UK athletes versus Irish athletes.

A spokesperson said: “Priority of coverage will be given to local competing athletes.” This will also apply if there are any clashes between British and Irish athletes.

Therefore competitors such as Wendy Houvenaghel, Aileen Morrison and Jason Smyth will take precedence over athletes from other parts of both the UK and Ireland.

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Former Culture Minister Nelson McCausland originally submitted a bid of £650,000 for the open air cinema screen in Waterloo Place to show major cultural and sporting events in Londonderry during the 2012 Olympiad.

A 25 square metres video display with a computer controlled playout and audio system has since been erected and is now a permanent feature in one of the city’s most prominent public spaces.

Current Culture Minister Carál Ní Chuilín is due to attend a special screening of Puccini’s timeless favourite La Bohème outside Supervalu next week.

A performance of the classic opera will be beamed live from the Royal Opera house in London to Waterloo Place.

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Minister Ni Chuilín revealed it was one of a number of events she was hoping to attend in the coming months.

She is also due to visit the city for the London 2012 Peace One Day concert in Ebrington in June featuring Massive Attack amongst others.

You can see it in Waterloo Place on May 17 when the performance will be relayed live around the the UK as part of the BP Summer Big Screens.