Duo supports Collingwood Cup

LOCAL football stars, Paddy McCourt and Darron Gibson have thrown their support behind the 2010 Collingwood Cup, which takes place throughout the city for the first time in the competition's 96 years history, next month.

Manchester United midfielder, Gibson and Northern Ireland winger, McCourt both sent messages of support to the Londonderry campus, claiming the competition - which takes place from March 1st to March 4th - will prove to be a great landmark for the city.

Indeed, the Collingwood Cup is University football's premier competition in Ireland since 1914 and this year will be the first time the Magee campus has linked up with the Irish Universities Football Union to host the tournament.

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The four day competition attracts universities and colleges across Ireland and could mean a 100,000 windfall for the local economy, and Hazelbank lad, Gibson believes it is a great honour for Londonderry to finally host the prestigious tournament.

"The announcement of the competition coming to Magee is great news for the sport in Derry," said Gibson. "I grew up playing at the University of Ulster pitches at Duncreggan Road and it is a great honour for the Collingwood Cup to come to the city for the first time.

"Hopefully we can make the most of the home advantage and also make it another historic occasion with Magee lifting the trophy for the first time."

Ex-Derry City winger, McCourt echoed Gibson's comments: "The Collingwood Cup is a real landmark event for the city," he said.

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"Bringing universities from all over the country to the Magee campus will highlight the great footballing tradition in Derry and will give the people of the city the chance to see some of the country's best footballers right on their doorstep."

This year, the host campus has received a bye into the second round of this year's competition, while Ulster's Coleraine side face Queens University Belfast, and Jordanstown take on Dublin City University.

University of Ulster's Dean of Academic Development, professor Deirdre Heenan urged all football supporters in Londonderry and the North West area to come out in force and support their local team when the competition gets underway.

"It is an honour for the University to host such a prestigious event," she said.

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"It will bring many benefits to the city. As well as promoting sport in the community, it will undoubtedly benefit the local economy, with so many from across the country coming to our city.

"The opportunity for Magee to hold the tournament is a momentous occasion for the people of the city to enjoy some of the most exciting young football talent on show. I would urge all the people of Derry to come out and support sport and support their local team."

The draw for the Collingwood Cup at the University of Ulster's Magee campus is as follows: First round: Ulster University Coleraine v Queen's University Belfast; Ulster University Jordanstown v Dublin City University; Mary Immaculate College v University College Cork; University College Dublin v NUI Maynooth; NUI Galway v Royal College of Surgeons.

Ulster University Magee received a bye to the second round.

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