2009   CONTINENTAL  YOUTH  CHAMPIONSHIP The Continental Youth Championship (CYC) Tournament which was a huge success when staged in Philadelphia last year will be held in San Francisco this year. The big event will be hosted by the San Francisco Youth Board this weekend, July 30, 31, & August 1 at the new San Francisco GAA headquarter in Treasure Island, San Francisco. The CYC which made it's debut in New York in 2004 has evolved into the biggest Irish sports youth program in the world. Launched during the presidency of  Sean Kelly, the CYC was the beginning of a major new initiative towards the development of Gaelic games overseas. With the financial backing from Croke Park through the International committee now under the chairmanship of former GAA President Joe Mc Donagh, coupled with corporate sponsorship from O'Neill's, Ireland's premier Sports Company, the tournament has grown in popularity and size.       A total of 236 games were played at last year's tournament and it is anticipated that number will be exceeded at this year's event. It is anticipated that over 100 teams from cities across the US, Canada and England will be competing in the tournament. Various hurling and Gaelic football championships at under 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 17 age groups will be staged. While the inter-county minor football championship between New York, NACB and London was the highlight of last years tournament, the addition of an inter-county minor ladies football and boy's under 16 championship will further enhance the tournament.  The tournament will get underway with the staging of a Grand Opening ceremony by the host city on Friday morning. Several GAA officials from Ireland have committed to attending the tournament including President Christy Cooney as well as International Committee chairman, Joe McDonagh, and officials from O'Neill's. Tweet

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