RUGBY: Celtic Park part of Ireland's Rugby World Cup bid

The ‘Derry For 2023’ campaign was launched in January this year, following concerns that the city was being completely overlooked as a possible venue in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) bid.

Last year’s tournament, held in England, created 28,000 jobs and added over £1 billion to the English economy.

Following the launch of the campaign, Derry City and Strabane District Councillors voted unanimously in March to push for the city’s inclusion in the Irish bid.

Since then the council has been working with the IRFU, Derry GAA and other parties to push the case for Derry’s Celtic Park to make the final list.

Spokesperson for the ‘Derry For 2023’ campaign, Steve Bradley, commented: “This is fantastic news for our city. The Rugby World Cup will be the biggest sporting event anywhere in the world in 2023,” he said.

“And Ireland has a real chance of winning the right to host it.

“Having Derry included in Ireland’s bid to host the 2023 RWC is big news for the city, and we’re delighted to have helped make it happen.”