The Irish League season may finally be heading towards a close, but the new campaign will kick-off in little over a month's time.
The NI Football League have confirmed the traditional season curtain raiser, the Charity Shield, will be played on Saturday 1 July.
In partnership with White Ribbon NI, the campaign opener between Premiership champions Larne and Irish Cup winners Crusaders will take place at Inver Park, kick-off 3pm.
Read more: NI rider facing 'slow road to recovery' as NW200 injuries are confirmed
NIFL has taken the decision to play the game earlier in the summer schedule to act as important preparation for both club’s European matches later that month.
NIFL’s Charity Shield returned last year as part of the league’s official Charity Partnership with White Ribbon NI, as Crusaders defeated Linfield at the National Stadium in a match which raised over £4,000 for charity.
White Ribbon NI are currently the official charity partner of the NI Football League since 2022 and has been set up to challenge the attitudes and behaviours which lead violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.
Making the white ribbon pledge to never commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women is a first step, a catalyst for conversation, encouraging everyone including men and boys, to individually and collectively take action and change behaviour.
Steven Mills, NIFL Chief Operating Officer, said: “Following the success of last season’s Charity Shield, we’re delighted to see it return again for the benefit of both White Ribbon NI and the competing clubs, as we give them the best possible platform to represent our league on the European stage."
Tahnee McCorry, White Ribbon NI said: “The partnership with the NI Football League has been a huge success for us in getting the core message of the White Ribbon NI pledge engrained within football. The Charity Shield once again gives us a high profile opportunity to raise awareness and also raise vital funds to support our work.”
For more information on White Ribbon NI, visit www.whiteribbonni.org.
READ NEXT:
- William Dunlop inquest hears crash was 'nothing other than an accident'
£25,000 donation in memory of Niamh Drayne will champion future athletes
Rory McIlroy was right to take a break after the Masters – Curtis Strange
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
