A unique charity event on Monday 7th October in MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey, will see the mighty New York Police Department roll into town to take on the cream of Irelands GAA Legends as part of the Gathering 2013.
The Football All Ireland is over, and Sam Maguire is back in the capital for the second time in 3 years leaving the GAA diehards in Mayo hungry for another year, but this football match is an ideal bookend for football followers in the county.
The brainchild of Paul McCormack, a Ballybofey native and former Commanding Officer of the 41st Precinct (Fort Apache) on 9-11 says that “ when I approached Sean Dunnion, Chairman of Donegal GAA and Jim McGuinness, All-Ireland winning manager with this idea they jumped on board immediately and have thrown their full support behind this event. It was Jim’s idea to donate all proceeds to the Friends of Letterkenny General Hospital and the boys from NYPD are delighted to support such a worthy charity”
This charity football match follows a previous trip by NYPD in 2002 and raising money for charity is an important part of these trips with the NYPD Gaelic Football Club who have helped raised thousands of dollars for worthy charities.
Brian McGarvey, Chairperson of The Friends of Letterkenny General Hospital said the Friends has raised over €4.5m since 1992 to help provide better healthcare equipment and facilities for the people of the North West and this unique event in our 21st year will help raise much needed funds to support cardiac services at Letterkenny General Hospital.
“As everybody knows, a freak flood in late July of this year has cast a shadow over the hospital, but I am confident with the support of the Friends that the Hospital will be bigger and better when it is rebuilt,” he said.
The inspirational All-Ireland winning manager is delighted to be involved.
“Paul organised a football game for the All-Ireland winning team in New York last year and when he first spoke about the possibility of organising the match, I thought it was a great idea as a charity match. The Friends Of Letterkenny General Hospital had approached me earlier this year to become an Ambassador for them and this event is an ideal fundraising opportunity. The Friends are celebrating 21 years of fundraising in 2013 and I am delighted to support the charity in any way,” McGuinness said.
The GAA Legends team includes Kieran McGeeney, (Armagh), Eamon O’Hara (Sligo), Fergal McGill (Leitrim) Pauric Dunne (Offaly), Anthony Tohill(Derry), Paddy Bradley (Derry), Peter Canavan (Tyrone), Brian McGuigan(Tyrone) Joe Brolly (Derry), Nudie Hughes (Monaghan), Dessie Farrell (Dublin), Dara O Shea (Kerry), Seamus Darby (Offaly), Colm O’Rourke (Meath), Pat Spillane (Kerry) and local Donegal heros include Martin McHugh, James McHugh, Manus Boyle, John Joe Doherty, Barry McGowan, Brendan Deveeney and Mark Crossan. The Legends team is growing day by day as word of the event spreads from county to county.
A large number of the All-Ireland winning team have also committed to playing on the night including Michael Murphy, Karl Lacey, Colm McFadden, Paul Durkan, Neil McGee, Neil Gallagher, Frank McGlynn, Anthony Thompson and Mark McHugh.
A great football game is always followed by a great post match debate and this game is no different with a great nights craic and entertainment lined up for the Post Match Celebration in Jacksons Hotel. There is an opportunity to meet and chat to the players with light refreshments being served which is followed by a great nights dancing from a host of entertainers including David Craige, Grainne Gavigan, Anne Biddie Deirdre Bonner and Gary Gamble.
For tickets and further please contact the Friends Office on 9104466 or www.friendsoflgh.ie
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