West Belfast Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

McCann welcomes Celtic visit to west Belfast

Published: 9 July, 2008

West Belfast Sinn Fein MLA Fra McCann has given a resounding 'hail hail' to the news that Glasgow Celtic will come to west Belfast on Wednesday, July 23, to play a friendly against Donegal Celtic.

Mr McCann said:

''Gerry Adams office and I were in contact with Celtic in mid-May to lobby the club to come to west Belfast to play DC and I am delighted to hear that the celts will be here on July 23.

''Local Celtic supporters clubs also lobbied Parkhead and the effort has now paid off.

''Celtic are the best supported club in the world and their support is at its most intense and its most passionate here in west Belfast.

''I have been a Celtic supporter for my entire life, like many thousands of others from this community and I am sure that Celtic will experience a green and white welcome here like they have never experienced before.

''The Bhoys will feel right at home among the faithful in the west,'' said Mr McCann.

''This friendly is a vote of confidence in Donegal Celtic by one of the top teams in the world - Glasgow Celtic.

''Donegal Celtic and their supporters deserve this boost after the shameful way they have been treated by the IFA over the past few weeks,'' said Mr McCann.