Huge response to Duhallow’s fittest club fundraiser
DUHALLOW GAA clubs incorporating men’s and ladies units are out in force this weekend in a show of camaraderie in support of deserving causes. Adding a bit of competitive edge to proceedings are that the miles clocked up in a series of runs and walks will determine Duhallow’s Fittest Club.
Ballydesmond and Kiskeam GAA clubs initiated the concept, their request to seek the assistance of fellow Duhallow clubs to undertake a fundraising run in support of the Friends of both Kanturk and Millstreet Community Hospitals in addition to the Burren Chernobyl Project and the Irish Community Rapid Response Air Ambulance Facility at Rathcoole met with an overwhelming response.
With no ball kicked competitively or a group training session nor a game played for close on two months, Kiskeam GAA player Davo Scannell spoke of clubs longing for activity and the opportunity of players to give of their time to worthy beneficiaries.
“Both Kiskeam and Ballydesmond
GAA clubs have decided to do our bit to help raise vital funds for our hospitals in Duhallow and other deserving causes. We see this as a great opportunity for players across the division to give something back to the community while also giving them a sense of purpose to their own fitness as we wait to get back on the playing fields,” Scannell said.
Men’s and Ladies Football clubs from the Barony have vowed to show support to worthy cases in addition to setting a challenge to get as many members involved.
“The idea is to see which club can run the most kilometres over a weekend in an attempt of finding Duhallow’s fittest GAA club in aid of the Friends of Kanturk and Millstreet Community Hospitals in addition to the Burren Chernobyl Project and Rapid Response Air Ambulance. For many of the clubs, there is a close association with the chosen beneficiaries and this has generated a terrific response with a few posts on social media indicating a number of well known faces are training for the weekend,” Scannell said.
The plan is to start the fundraiser from midnight on Thursday until the following Sunday, open to all players and managements involved with the adult teams where participants and supporters can subscribe to the online fundraiser platform GoFundMe.
GAA clubs confirmed to participate are Ballydesmond, Banteer/Lyre, Boherbue, Castlemagner, Cullen, Dromtariffe, Freemount, Kanturk, Kilbrin, Kiskeam, Knocknagree, Lismire, Meelin, Millstreet, Newmarket, Rockchapel and St. Johns.
And Ladies Football clubs supporting the cause are Araglen Desmonds Buí, Abhainn Dalla (Kanturk and Newmarket), Banteer, Castlemagner, Dromtariffe and Knocknagree.
Organisers remind partaking clubs of the current HSE guidelines and the importance of maintaining social distancing to all events. Information can be sought from host clubs while details from Ballydemond/Kiskeam organisers are available from Niall Collins 087 2668210, Willis O’Connor 086 1414423, Davo Scannell 087 9046844 or Billy Dennehy 087 9315272.