YOUNG players from Rossendale have joined their football-crazy parish priest on his 25th soccer tour to Southern Ireland.

Father David Lupton, of St James' the Less RC Church, Rawtenstall, was today taking the parish's under 11 and under 14 teams, which he manages, for an eight-day stay at Castleisland, County Kerry.

The party of 26 boys, helpers, and teachers Ann Mulderrigg and Sheila Egan, will stay with host families in the parish.

Father Lupton said: "It all came about when I was in Manchester and received a letter from the former Canon there Michael Hurley. He said they had a football team and suggested we go over and visit.

"I have carried on the exchange with every parish I have served and this trip will be the 25th for myself and also for their team manager Georgie O'Callaghan.

"He sets up all the games over there and during our stay we will play 16 matches, two a day! The visits do a lot to break down the barriers between the countries and the scenery is beautiful."

The boys are from St James the Less School and All Saints High, Rawtenstall, St Theodore's High, Burnley, and Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School.

A party from the Irish parish will visit Rossendale in August to complete the exchange.

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