Boston mayor backs Belfast for Beanpot

Boston mayor Marty Walsh has given his backing to a bid to bring a major college ice hockey tournament, the NCAA Beanpot, to Belfast in 2016.

Speaking during a visit to the Odyssey Arena, Walsh said the colleges involved would face a challenge to "logistically work it around their season" but added that a delegation from Belfast will travel to Boston in a few week's time.

Belfast Giants coach Steve Thornton explained that the potential staging of the event in Belfast would be "fantastic for Northern Ireland".

The Beanpot, which features Boston College, Boston University, Harvard and Northeastern, is one of the biggest tournaments in the ice hockey season.