FOOTBALL: Celtic set to return for Foyle Cup

New Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed that Celtic FC will return to Derry City to compete in this year's Foyle Cup.

This year's tournament will run from July 19 to July 24.

Lennon recognises the event as one of the best managed tournaments in Europe and was pleased to be Guest Of Honour at the tournament Press Launch five years ago.

Celtic FC are the current holders of the U14 Cup, having beaten Linfield FC in 2009 in one of the best finals to grace Brandywell Stadium in recent years.

This year's event will witness the appearance of another Celtic Star as Guest Of Honour, when two former players of the Derry & District Youth FA will be Guests of Honour - Paddy Mc Court (Celtic FC) and Shane Duffy (Everton FC).

This year's Foyle Cup has the largest ever entry of 144 teams, with teams travelling from all over Europe and beyond to compete.

Indeed no fewer than five teams from Canada and America will travel to compete in this year's tournament.

Michael Hutton, Tournament Organiser is not surprised by the continued growth in the event. " I know that after the wonderful experience visiting teams have during their stay in Derry each year, they leave determined to return.

"The Foyle Cup standards are exceptionally high and teams comment on how efficiently everything runs and how good the playing surfaces are. "

Local teams competing in this year's competition include Coleraine FC Academy and Bertie Peacock Youths.