Belfast Celtic 1891 - 1949

 
 
 


Second Belfast Celtic Cup All Set
 

It may be 66 years since Belfast Celtic last kicked a ball, but a football tournament will be held in its honour for the second time on October 25, 2015. The Belfast Celtic Cup premiered last autumn, with sixteen under-12 football squads from across the north competing for the inaugural trophy – and accompanying shield named after star player Charlie Tully.

Held at Willowbank Park, in the shadow of the old Celtic Park, the event was sponsored by the Park Centre, where a museum capturing the exploits of the Grand Old Club exists today. The Highland Hoops Celtic Supporters Club, based in Inverness in Scotland, also provided funding to help the tournament take place. With teams travelling from as far away as Lurgan and Downpatrick, the cup competition was organised by the Belfast Celtic Society, founded in 2003 to protect the heritage of the team. The Belfast Celtic Cup was scooped by old rivals Linfield after a thrilling penalty shoot out with Cliftonville.

 

Belfast Celtic Society President Charlie Tully Junior (right), with organiser Raymond Bonner, holding the Belfast Celtic Cup. The 2nd annual tournament will be held in Willowbank Park, on the Falls Road, on October 25. 
Meanwhile the inaugural Charlie Tully Shield headed down the M1 Motorway, clinched by the Blues of Glenavon, club of former Belfast Celtic Society President, the late Jimmy Jones. Beaten finalists Cliftonville also clashed with West Belfast clubs Immaculata, Celtic Boys, Tullymore Youth Club and hosts Willowbank FC. Crumlin United, Andersonstown Celtic and Crewe United also joined Downpatrick Celtic in the competition, along with Lenadoon outfit Oliver Plunkett.

Charlie Tully Junior, President of the Belfast Celtic Society, insisted this competition proved a high watermark for the Society."Last year's tournament was such a success, it was humbling to see - given it's been nearly seven decades since Belfast Celtic last kicked a competitive ball. To see so many young people there enjoying the football, but also taking in the history of Belfast Celtic in the museum, was incredible for me."

"Our Society made sure all the children attending received a special medal to mark the occasion and they will now carry a little part of Belfast Celtic into the next generation. It is our Society's desire that this competition becomes an annual fixture in local football and we're determined to make it a reality."

"Our humblest thanks go to Raymond Bonner, Hugh Greene and Martin McKiernan for all their hard work organising the teams and running the tournament like clockwork. Lastly, huge thanks go to our hosts Willowbank FC - not only do they play on land once owned by Belfast Celtic, they are as much a credit to the West Belfast community as the Grand Old Club once was!"

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