Jim McGuinness will be in Croke Park today to launch a new partnership between the GAA and Celtic which is aimed at promoting youth development through sport in disadvantaged areas.

The All-Ireland winning Donegal manager - who works as a performance consultant at Celtic's academy- will be joined by Celtic chairman Ian Bankler and GAA President Liam O'Neill.

The 'Let's Go; Lead Through Sport' camps take place in Ballymote in Sligo next week and in Lurgan in Armagh in early August and will cater for boys and girls between the ages of 13-16.

The camps aim to bring together young people from different sporting and cultural backgrounds using coaching sessions in both Gaelic games and soccer. These on-field activities, led by top coaches from both codes, will be complemented by an innovative off-field programme that is intended to enhance the life-skills of the participants in a number of targeted areas.

The sessions have been designed and will be delivered in conjunction with leading youth organisations north and south of the border, including Foróige and Southern Education Library Board (SELB) Youth Service in Northern Ireland.

This is one of a number of initiatives designed to cater for youth involvement that the GAA is currently involved in.

GAA President Liam O'Neill said: "At the heart of this joint venture is a desire by the GAA to both learn and deliver learning through new partnerships and to new communities.

"Sport is a great leveller. It can open doors that traditions have, perhaps, previously closed off. Through this innovative partnership the GAA hopes to spread its positive influence beyond the sporting field and its traditional communities."

Speaking on behalf of Celtic FC , Chairman Ian Bankier added: "We are absolutely delighted to enter this exciting new partnership with the GAA, it is an exciting concept and one we believe will make a real difference to so many young people. Celtic has an unbreakable bond with Ireland and this is a connection we cherish dearly. We are delighted therefore to be carrying out this important, meaningful work across Ireland and we look forward to working hard together with the GAA to ensure this programme is a great success."

Recruitment for the camps is being handled by Ballymote GFC and Ballymote Celtic in Sligo, and through three participating schools in the Lurgan/Craigavon area. A further camp is planned for the Dublin area in the Autumn.

An evaluation process will take place after these three planned camps. Tweet

Most Read Stories