User:Daftcelt/Celtic Cup (athletics)

The Celtic Cup was an international track and field team competition contested for between Scotland (a senior team and development team), Wales and Ireland. It was held at Grangemouth Stadium in Grangemouth, Scotland from 2006 to 2008. In 2008 the cup was renamed the Bank of Scotland Cup, with a junior team from United States invited to compete at the last edition in 2008.

= Background = The Celtic Cup, first held in 2006 at Grangemouth Stadium in Grangemouth, Scotland, was competed for between teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. A 'Bank of Scotland' team, which comprised of young promising Scottish athletes also competed. ''Individually, athletes were awarded points for the their team. The team with the most points at the end of the competition won the trophy.'' A number of high-profile named athletes from the United Kingdom and abroad were also invited to take part as guests, but didn't compete for a team.

The Bank of Scotland Cup, founded in 2006, was contested for between the Celtic nations of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. A Scotland Development Team comprising of young promising Scottish athletes representing a special 'Bank of Scotland' team also competed. Several high-profile athletes from the UK and overseas were invited to take part each year also as guests. Individual athletes were awarded points for the team they competed for. The team with the most points at the end of the competiton won the Bank of Scotland Cup. Guest athletes couldn't win the trophy as they weren't awarded points during events and didn't compete for a team. The competition was staged at Grangemouth Stadium since it's inception. It was called the Bank of Scotland Celtic Cup before being rebranded in 2008. The first edition of the compeition was held on 17 August 2006. The 2007 edition was staged on 31 July, whilst the third and final edition of the Cup was held on 31 July 2008. The meetings were organised by Scottishathletics and hosted by Falkirk Council. Support was given from title sponsor, Bank of Scotland and funding partner, Sportscotland. BBC Scotland provided two hour live coverage of the inagural competition in 2006 from 7 to 9 pm. Sky Sports 2 took over the rights to the live coverage for the second and third stagings of the Bank of Scotland Cup, keeping it's tradional time slot from 7 to 9 pm. Repeats of the event were cast over Sky Sports at various times for the next day or so.

= Competitions =

2006
Double Commonwealth medalist, Lee McConnell captained Scotland at the first edition of the Celtic Cup. Sprint legend Merlene Ottey, who has eight Olympic medals and fourteen World Championship medals, competed as a guest. James Beckford, Alan Webb and Darren Campbell, who would announce his retirement after competing at the Celtic Cup, all signed up to compete as guests as well. The home nation won the very first Celtic Cup, with 43 points to Ireland's 32 points (second) and Wales' 25 points (third). The Development Team finished fourth.

2007
McConnell was handed the captaincy for the second consecutive year for Scotland. Star names included Craig Mottram, Sonia O'Sullivan, Jason Gardener and the future golden girl of UK Athletics, Jessica Ennis. Ennis signed up to do the 200 metres and the long jump. It would be Ennis' last preparations before the World Championships in August in Berlin, Germany. She would go head-to-head with home favourites Lee McConnell (200 metres) and Gillian Cooke (long jump). The trophy remained in Scotland for the second successive year after they managed to retain it.

2008
For the first time a junior team from the USA competed against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and a Scotland Development Team. Former Development Team member, Eilidh Child was given the honour of captaining Scotland for this years competition. Swedish heptathlon legend, Carolina Kluft, the reigning Olympic, World and European Champion made her debut at Grangemouth as a guest. Kluft, who got married in Scotland last September would compete in the long jump, forming part of her prepartions for the Beijing Olympics, having chosen not defend her heptathlon title in Beijing. Scotland's very own Lynsey Sharp and Eilish McColgan were also signed up to compete as guests. Scotland retained the trophy again with 57 points and made it three in a row, with the USA Juniors - 37 points (second), Development Team - 31 points (third), Ireland - 30 points (fourth) and Wales - 22 points (fifth).

Teams
Guests didn't actually compete as a team. International Guests just signals those athletes were internationally renowned athletes. Scottish Guests just signals that these athletes were young Scottish athletes invited to compete on the day that weren't a part of the Scotland team or the Scotland Development Team.

= References =

2006
 * Scottishathletics launches new international comepition (used)
 * Celtic Cup Report (used)
 * Scottishathletics launches new International torunament 2 June 2006.
 * Scottishathletics unveils new International 2 June 2006.
 * Ottey confirmed for Celtic Cup 19 July 2006.
 * Celtic Cup tickets available 19 July 2006.
 * Celtic Cup selection 25 July 2006.
 * Jamaican stars signs for Celtic Cup 26 July 2006.
 * Campbell signs for Celtic Cup 27 July 2006.
 * World Star signs for Celtic Cup 1 August 2006.
 * Jump innovations at Celtic Cup 3 August 2006.
 * McConnell leads strong Scots team 4 August 2006.
 * Alan Webb confirmed for Celtic Cup 7 August 2006.

2007
 * Mottram and McConnell launch 2007 Celtic Cup
 * Jessica Ennis to compete at 2007 Celtic Cup
 * Lemoncello commits to Celtic Cup
 * Bank of Scotland Celtic Cup
 * Mottram and guests touch down ahead of Celtic Cup
 * Scotland retain Celtic Cup

2008
 * USA Junious and Kluft to make BOS Cup debuts at Grangemouth 19 May 2008.
 * Action packed evening for home team's BOS Cup defence 28 May 2008.
 * Bank of Scotland - Ticket information 2 June 2008.
 * Athlete selection criteria announced for BOS Cup 10 June 2008.
 * Kluft sets new Swedish national best in long jump record 12 June 2008.
 * Bank of Scotland Cup 2008 - Miss it ! - Miss out! 13 June 2008.
 * Bank of Scotland bag Baddeley for Cup match 16 June 2008.
 * Bank of Scotland Cup tickets now on general sale 16 June 2008.
 * £100 backstraight bonus for best supporters at BOS Cup 17 June 2008.
 * Less than two weeks to go: Get your BOS Cup tickets now 18 June 2008.
 * America to play chance card at Grangemouth 19 June 2008.
 * Stronest ever BOS Development Team announced for Cup match 20 June 2008.
 * Bank of Scotland Cup media accreditation 24 June 2008.
 * Scotland at strenght for hat-trick bid in BOS Cup 24 June 2008.
 * Call for Bank of Scotland Cup programme sellers 25 June 2008.
 * Last call for grandstand tickets 25 June 2008.
 * Bank of Scotland Cup prize money announced 26 June 2008.
 * Carolina Contemplates Cup 26 June 2008.
 * Welsh and Irish team for Bank of Scotland Cup 30 June 2008.
 * BOS Cup - Tickets available on the gate 1 July 2008.
 * Treble Tremendous for Scots in Grangemouth 2 July 2008.

= External links =
 * Scottish Athletics
 * UK Athletics
 * 2008 results and stats