Soccer:Manchester City and Celtic will complete the high-profile line-up alongside reigning European champions Inter Milan and an Airtricity League XI for the inaugural Dublin Super Cup to be played at the Aviva Stadium in July.
The Italian giants were already confirmed for the new two-day tournament (July 30th-31st) with the involvement of Man City and Celtic rubber-stamped at an official announcement at the Dublin venue today.
The FAI agreed a deal with entertainment group, Endemol Sport, and sports agency Iconic, to host a four-team tournament at this year's Europa League final venue for the next 10 years. The association is set to be paid in the region of €1 million each year in return for the Endemol-managed tournament using the stadium.
With Roberto Mancini’s side confirmed for the July showpiece, big name stars such as Carols Tevez and Edin Dzeko could be on show, alongside the like of Inter’s Wesley Sneijder and Samuel Eto’o from Internazionale.
Celtic manager Neil Lennon's was in attendance today and his side could feature the former Derry City duo of Paddy McCourt and Niall McGinn plus the Republic of Ireland's in-form striker Anthony Stokes.
The Hoops last played Man City in a pre-season game in 2009, which City won 2-1. Lennon’s side could be involved in European qualifiers in July but the weekend Dublin date will not clash with any competitive fixtures. The Glasgow outfit played in last summer’s Emirates Cup against Arsenal and Lyon between their two-legged Champions League qualifier with Braga
"I feel privileged as Celtic manager to be able to take the first-team squad over to Ireland to play in the Dublin tournament against some top-class opposition," said Lennon. "Obviously the club has very strong ties with Ireland and with our massive fan base there it promises to be a special occasion for myself, the players and the Celtic fans."
Leonardo’s Inter squad plan to do some pre-season training while in Ireland and will play another game at either Turner’s Cross or Thomond Park. The FAI has already ensured the latter venue is free on the date concerned.
Endemol Sport, whose parent company brought the world the television show Big Brother, were the reason Limerick City were prevented from hosting Barcelona last summer.
The League of Ireland club’s plans to bring the European champions to Thomond Park were scuppered by a contract with a “third party” at the time, which prevented the FAI from sanctioning games in venues that hold 15,000 fans or more.
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