A different ball game as Derry City play 'historic fixture' at GAA ground

It is estimated that more than 7,000 spectators will be at Find Insurance Celtic Park to watch Friday night's League of Ireland clash between Derry City and Shamrock Rovers [Getty] Home to different sports, but neighbours geographically, a city's two main stadiums have stood just a few hundred yards apart for almost a century, yet have rarely crossed paths. On Friday, however, Celtic Park, the home of Derry GAA, will host a very different ball game as it allows Derry City to use the ground to play the first of five home League Of Ireland fixtures. The move comes as work continues on the installation of a new pitch at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

Supporters have been sharing their excitement, describing it as a rare chance to see their side play at the home of the Oak Leaf County and be part of a rare moment in the city's sporting history. Derry City season ticket holder Claire McCarron says it will be a fantastic occasion to watch her team play at Celtic Park [Claire McCarron] Claire McCarron is a season ticket holder with Derry City and is looking forward to attending the match on Friday at Find Insurance Celtic Park. She is not a regular follower of GAA, but did go and see Derry defeat Offaly in a Division Two Allianz Football League match last month at the ground and loved the experience.

Only a short five-minute walk separates the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium from the Find Insurance Celtic Park [Getty] "The ground is fantastic and it will be packed with Derry City supporters on Friday evening, so there will definitely be a great atmosphere," she said. "It's a wonderful ground and I found it easily accessible, so hopefully it will be a great occasion for everyone involved with Derry City. " The ground share is part of a growing relationship between the two sporting organisations and builds upon Derry City being afforded the use of Derry GAA's Centre of Excellence in Owenbeg, near Dungiven, as a training base from January last year.

'It's sporting history for the city' Derry City's temporary move to Celtic Park comes as work continues on installing a new grass pitch at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium [BBC] Secretary of Derry City Robert Martin told BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme it was a "historic sporting moment" for a soccer match to be played in the GAA stadium. "It's sporting history for the city and the interest has been massive, not just within Derry, but from all over," he said. "We want to get more GAA supporters coming to watch us and then hopefully they will be there again when we are back at the Brandywell.