Marty’s Misfits to give Oran the boot?

The Marty Quinn Misfits will line up against the Oran Kearney Coleraine Select XI, for the Belfast based charity Men Against Cancer at the Coleraine Showgrounds on Wednesday, August 1 at 7pm.

The charity fundraiser is being sponsored by Fletcher Torrens in association with Spotless Windows.

The match will be played on the main Showgrounds pitch and the Misfits, managed by former Bannsiders boss Marty Quinn, will be made up of local businessmen and others willing to ‘pay to play’ i.e. £1 per minute!

Ballywillan Flute Band will play prior kick-off and during half-time. Food and entertainment for both children and adults will be available with Radio Ulster DJ Alan Simpson as compere.

Fletcher Torrens and Spotless Windows have arranged for a wonderful array of local personalities and businessmen to attend to either play on the Marty Quinn’s Misfits’ side or as general support for this cause.

Among those who have agreed to take part for the Misfits are David Rankin, Editor of the Coleraine Times, John Fillis, Editor of the Coleraine Chronicle, Damian Mullan, Sports Editor of the Coleraine Chronicle, Q97.2 DJ Barry Owler, MP Gregory Campbell, MLA David McClarty, Mayor of Coleraine, Sam Cole, councillor Maurice Bradley, Barry Torrens and Wilson Torrens from Fletcher Torrens, Clive Harbison of Spotless Windows, Professor Joe O’Sullivan, Head of Cancer Services, Belfast City Hospital, Carwyn Guy, principal of Portrush Primary School, Garth Donaghy, Bandmaster of the Ballywillan Flute Band, Colin McKendry, Chairman of Coleraine FC, former Irish League player and manager Liam Beckett and Ciaran Butcher, Jason Quigley of Portrush Youth Football oo-ordinator, a member of the Portrush RNLI Lifeboat and many more still to be confirmed,as well as the players for Oran Kearney’s Coleraine Select XI.

Doors open at 6pm and the match - which will be 30 minutes per half - kicks off at 7pm and should conclude around 8.30pm to 9pm (after a much anticipated penalty kick shootout!) Coleraine FC Social Club is open during and after the match and local band JazzLite will play the night away. The draw for the raffle prizes will be made and Men Against Cancer representatives and Professor Joe O’Sullivan, Head of the Cancer Unit, at Belfast City Hospital will be present.

Local businesses have been very generous in supporting the match, donating outstanding gifts for the raffle and sponsoring the Misfits’ players. Kenny McDowell, golfer Graeme McDowell’s father has been exceptionally generous in supporting this cause. Specsavers Coleraine have, rather appropriately, sponsored the referee and linesmen.

Two of the organising committee members, Barry Torrens and Clive Harbison, attended the Men Against Cancer (MAC) ward at the Belfast City Hospital Cancer Unit last month.

They were shown the various facilities, equipment and techniques used by the leading clinicians in Northern Ireland to treat those suffering from the many cancers that can affect men, specifically testicular cancer and prostate cancer.

Professor O’Sullivan and Mike Burrows, a representative of Men Against Cancer were able to identify the various modern examination and treatment processes, many of which were paid for by the charity.

Professor O’Sullivan highlighted that the assistance given by MAC advanced the knowledge and treatment of cancer within Northern Ireland by approximately three years and that the Province is now one of the leading centres of Research and Development and treatment in the fight against cancer.

A little known fact about this MAC diagnostic unit is that it is ‘self-referral’ i.e. phone them and make an appointment to be tested, your GP need not be involved.

Both Professor O‘Sullivan and Mr Burrows are delighted by the committee’s efforts to raise funds through the forthcoming match and they indicated that both will attend the evening with a number of additional clinicians and MAC committee members.

Fletcher Torrens would like to make an appeal to anyone to donate a generous gift for the raffle/auction and/or bring friends to the match.

The more who take part, the more Men Against Cancer receives. Admission to the match is just £3.