Galway United to run Celtic Cup competition

Galway United are planning a ‘Celtic Cup’ tournament – featuring Irish, Scottish, Welsh and Breton professional and junior teams – as part of the bid to become European Capital of Culture 2020.

Club board member John Flannery told members of Galway City Council this week that an organising committee is already being put together for the invitational tournament.

Mr Flannery was making a presentation to councillors on Galway United’s progress and how the Council’s €40,000 funding allocation for this year is being used by the team.

He said the club plans to team up with Scottish, Welsh and Breton clubs for an international tournament in 2020.

It will be open to professional, women’s, junior and local clubs.

Meanwhile, Mr Flannery said the club has seen a 50% increase in attendances, while an average of 200 supporters are travelling to away games.

In two week’s time, there will be a significant friendly against a Liverpool XI — the last such game five years ago attracted a crowd of 5,000.

The estimated overall benefit to the city from the club for 2015 will be €2.5 million, he said.

For more on this story, see this week’s Galway City Tribune