Hibernian Park in Burt
will host a 12 team seven-a-side charity Gaelic
football tournament on Saturday. The brainchild of
Burt footballer Martin Donaghey, the competition
will raise funds for the Foyle Hospice and is sure
to attract plenty of pre season interest.
With the release of Donegal league fixtures badly
delayed, clubs are anxiously seeking friendly
matches and the response to this invitational
tournament has taken organisers by surprise, with
teams from Donegal, Derry and Liverpool all taking
part.
“We’re still finalising the details, but we’re
hoping to run off a successful tournament that will
get the season up and running,” Donaghey said.
“We’re hoping that the recent good weather holds up
and the teams enjoy the run out. We’re very grateful
for all the clubs that are taking part.”
All funds raised are going to the Foyle Hospice, and
the tournament is being run in memory of Darren
Downey and Gary McLaughlin, two young Burt
footballers who lost their lives in a road traffic
collision in May of last year.
“Darren and Gary were extremely popular club members
who lost their lives in such tragic circumstances,”
club secretary Damian Dowds said. “The club wanted
to do something in memory of them and this
seven-a-side tournament is the perfect opportunity.
A new Downey-McLaughlin memorial cup will be
presented to the winners. We intend to run this
tournament annually.”
Hosts Burt are joined by fellow Inishowen sides
Buncrana, Malin, Moville, Naomh Pádraig and Urris,
Naomh Colmcille, Lifford and Letterkenny Gaels,
Derry sides Ardmore and Brian Óg’s Steelstown, and
Liverpool side John Mitchel’s.
The organisers are currently finalising details for
the event but games get under way at 11am with the
final scheduled for later in the afternoon, well in
advance of Donegal’s NFL clash with Down in Mac
Cumhaill Park later that night.
(Inishowen Independent) |
