Sporting stars todescend on City

All major sports are to be catered for according to the Draft Programme of Events for 2013 a copy of which has been obtained by this paper.

Most eye catching for a soccer mad city are plans for an as yet undisclosed date in July 2013 when it is expected that representatives from the English Premiership and Spain’s La Liga will play exhibition games at both Riverside Stadium and the Brandywell.

With the city having hosted teams in the past in the calibre of Manchester United and Barcelona it is not beyond expectation that these feats can be repeated. Or with ex-Derry City winger James McClean currently riding high at Sunderland under the direction of another local sporting star Martin O’Neill, could it be one of the footballing giants of the north east of England that visit the city?

It is clear that the organisation in charge of programming next year’s events, The Culture Company, to their credit have set their sights on a high profile and highly ambitious series of sporting events. It must be stressed however that the document seen by the Sentinel clearly states that the current calendar is for planning purposes only and may be subject to change.

On the other hand the document also states that “some key events and projects have for contractual reasons been redacted,” meaning that more events are in the pipeline to be added to an already hugely impressive line up.

As well as again playing host to well established and loved sporting events such as the Foyle Cup, Liam Ball Triathlon and the Waterside Half Marathon, Londonderry will see a revival of former events.

The draft plan indicates that on April 20 a boat race will take place between the City of Derry Boating Club and the Bann Rowing Club on the River Foyle when they will battle it out for the coveted Carlingford Cup, a trophy which dates from the 1860’s and which both teams annually competed for up until the late 1960’s.

Another great revival to look forward to is the planned reinstatement of the Foyle Marathon, scheduled for May 10, 2013. The 26 mile route will cover both sides of the river and passing by all of the city’s major landmarks before a sprint finish over the Peace Bridge.

An invitational athletics event is also planned to take place at the championship standard track at Templemore Sports Complex in September.

Beginning in June and going on for the remainder of the year the following on from the city’s great track record in boxing with figures such as Billy Kelly, Charlie Nash and John Duddy, the local amateur clubs will invite opponents from throughout Ireland and further afield to take part in exhibition bouts.

The opening of a Judo Centre of Excellence at St Columb’s Park is scheduled for September 20, 2013 and will be marked with the venue hosting a major international tournament.

Also in June both City of Derry and Foyle Golf Club’s will host invitational and Pro-Am tournaments.

An entry is also made in the document for August 11, 2013 where it says that Ulster Rugby will play a match in the city. The summer of 2013 will also see the Inishowen 100 invite local, provincial and cross-border cyclists to compete in what must surely be one of the most scenic routes in the world.

The GAA too will be greatly represented. In March the organisation will host its World Congress in the city. But, as well as this Celtic Park will host the Ulster Hurling and Camogie finals as well as an All Star match. The city will also play host to the finals of Scor-the GAA’s cultural competition.