Robinson and McGuinness congratulate Frampton on Titanic Showdown win

First Minister the Rt Hon Peter D Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have congratulated Carl Frampton on his win in tonight’s Titanic Showdown making him the IBF World Super Bantamweight champion.

The event in which Carl Frampton challenged Spain’s Kiko Martinez for the IBF World Super Bantamweight Title, was the largest boxing match ever to be staged in Northern Ireland. With an audience of over 16,000 people, a number of local boxers including Marc McCullough, Eamonn O’Kane, Jamie Conlon and Conrad Cummings took to the ring prior to the Frampton – Martinez bout.


Congratulating Carl Frampton on his victory the Ministers said: “Carl has dedicated his life to becoming world champion and everyone will be delighted that he has fulfilled that tonight. This was not just a great night for boxing but also for Belfast as images of the contest were beamed around the globe as our local boxers continue to deliver on the world stage.


“Winning a World Title is an exceptional achievement and being victorious on home soil in Belfast’s historic Titanic Quarter makes it even more special both for Carl and his many supporters. Carl has made considerable sacrifices to reach this level combining raw talent with an immense work ethic and we wish him continued success.


“We are very proud of his achievements and congratulate his manager Barry McGuigan and trainer Shane McGuigan for their contribution to Carl’s sporting career.”


Enterprise, Trade and Investment Minister Arlene Foster said: “Tonight’s world championship fight not only showcased the boxing talent of Carl Frampton, it also showcased Titanic Belfast to an international audience in over 90 countries. The purpose built arena with the iconic Titanic Belfast as a backdrop was a fitting stage for this much anticipated contest.


“And while Carl is our newest World Champion after his tremendous performance in the ring tonight, we have proven once again that Northern Ireland is a world beater when it comes to hosting major events.”


Congratulating Carl on his win, Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilín said: "Carl had an excellent fight tonight against Spaniard Kiko Martinez and he is now the IBF World Super Bantamweight champion.


“Carl is now a world champion and continues on the North’s proud tradition of boxers with his 19th win of his professional career.


“I also want to pay tribute to Carl’s family, manager and trainer who also have played their part in tonight’s win. We know that boxing, and sport of any kind, can help to improve our physical and mental wellbeing. Carl is a role model that so many young men and women can look up to and everyone is the north should be proud of his achievements."

Sports Minister attends spectacular opening of the Olympic Games

Sports Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín, has attended the Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Olympic Games along with sports ministers from across the globe.

Speaking at the spectacular opening to the Games of the 30th Olympiad at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in East London, the Minister said: “It is hard to believe after so much work on the part of the organisers and of the athletes who will now compete over the next couple of weeks, that the Olympic Games are finally here.

“There is no doubt that being part of the greatest sporting event on earth is a once in a life-time opportunity for many of us to witness and participate in especially when it is all happening so close to home.

“Tonight at the opening ceremony, nine of our local schools who have been involved in the London 2012 Education Programme ‘Get Set’ are forming a guard of honour for competing athletes as they leave the Olympic Village on their way to the Stadium. And two local choirs - Phil Kids and Jam - are part of the ‘Isles of Wonder’ film along with choirs from England, Scotland and Wales.

“The opening ceremony was also shown live on the Big Screens at Belfast City Hall and in Derry and during the Games all the action will be at available to view here as well.”

Praising the athletes from the north of Ireland who are part of Team Ireland and Team GB, the Minister said: “We have 20 local sportsmen and women competing for either the Ireland team or British team over the next 16 days. Each of these athletes has given their all to get to this level and we will be cheering them on as they take on the world’s best in table tennis, judo, hockey, rowing, cycling, canoeing, sailing, triathlon, swimming, boxing and eventing. I wish all the very best of luck to all of the athletes from the island of Ireland in their individual events.”

Recognising the wide-range of Irish involvement in preparation for the Games, including the all-Ireland Olympic Torch Relay, the Minister said: “An event of this size and scale could not happen without volunteers. It comes off the back of a hugely successful and inclusive all-Ireland Torch Relay. Almost 500 local games makers are playing their part in ensuring a smooth running and successful Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a fantastic opportunity for all of them and their experience in London will be invaluable for next year’s City of Culture and the World Police and Fire Games.

“I hope everyone enjoys the opening ceremony and the feast of sport to come over the next couple of weeks.”

Nine local schools formed a Guard of Honour for teams of athletes en route to Olympic Park for the Opening Ceremony. They were:

• Sri Lanka - St Patrick’s and St Brigid’s Primary School, Ballycastle;
• Suriname - St Catherine’s College, Armagh;
• Swaziland - Ballee Community High School, Ballymena;
• Sweden - Christ the Redeemer Primary School, Belfast;
• Philippines - Dundonald Primary School;
• Jordan - Belfast Boy’s Middle School;
• Jordan - Oakgrove Integrated College, Derry;
• Kuwait/Saudi Arabia - Park Hall integrated College, Antrim; and
• Philippines - Orangefield High School, Belfast.

Government Agencies respond to Northern Ireland Floods

Government Agencies have been working together this evening to address the severe flooding which has been primarily across the Belfast area.


Roads Service has brought in extra staff in the Belfast area and staff from other areas within Roads Service to work alongside staff from other Agencies.


The heaviest of the rain is expected to pass over the Province this evening but the Met Office has issued a further amber weather warning valid from 04:00 to 21:00 on Thursday 28 June. There are expected to be further slow moving torrential downpours tomorrow afternoon and further flooding can be expected.


Motorists are advised to exercise extreme caution especially tomorrow morning as the clean-up gets underway.


Customers may have experienced some problems with the Flooding Incident Helpline. This was caused by the severity of the rain storms and the high volume of calls. Additional resources have been brought in overnight to deal with the situation.


List of affected areas


It is understood the areas affected in Belfast included:

• Stockmans Lane - closed under Flyover.
• Knock Road, closed between Castlereagh Road and Shandon Park.
• Upper Knockbreda Road / Cregagh Road. Road closed.
• Finaghy Road North closed at M1 Bridge.
• Hillhall Road. Reported as closed.
• Stewartstown Road / Twinbrook Road. Reported as closed.
• Castlereagh Road / Loopland Park. Road closed.
• Milltown Road / Belvoir Road. Passable with care.
• Stockmans Lane under M1 Bridge. Passable with care.
• Blacks Road under M1 Bridge. Passable with care.
• Milltown Road / Belvoir Road. Passable with care.
• Prince William Road / Lisburn North Feeder Road. Passable with care.

Advice on dealing with flooding

• Report flooding in your area using the Flooding Incident Line  0300 2000 100.
• Visit nidirect for practical advice on how to deal with flooding at www.nidirect.gov.uk/flooding-in-your-area