Hearts Ballymena Tournament trip back on

HEARTS’ pre-season schedule was rescued last night when a new venue was found for the Ballymena Tournament which, earlier in the day, had been cancelled for “logistical reasons”.

The Edinburgh club had initially been due to play against Celta Vigo in the first of their two matches on Thursday 25 July, followed by a second outing two days later, against either Crusaders or a Liverpool Xl.

Celta Vigo pulled out of the event last week, and host club Crusaders had been looking for a replacement before the tournament itself was thrown into doubt.

However, fellow Northern Ireland Football League club Glentoran have stepped into the breach and the tournament will now be staged at their home ground, The Oval, in east Belfast.