Annual charity gameset for next weekend

The event, which is sponsored by the Lurgan Mail and Portadown Times, has over the past four years raised over £4,700 for the St. Vincent De Paul Society and Armagh manager Paul Grimley has given his blessing to the venture.

“I will be telling the county players from North Armagh to throw their weight behind the event,” he said. “The Saint Vincent De Paul Society does fantastic work in the community and I’m sure they will be delighted with the extra money in the run up to Christmas. We have training the day before the game so there is no problems from a county point of view.”

The Town team will consist of players from St. Peter’s, Clan Na Gael, St. Paul’s, Eire Og, Clann Eireann and Tir Na n Og. The Country outfit is being selected from Wolfe Tones, Annaghmore, Sarsfields, Ballyhegan, Clonmore and league champions Maghery. Last season’s game, which was played at Clann Eireann Park, was held on the Sunday when Eire Og were competing in the Ulster Championship series which ruled the Ogs players out. But, on this occasion, all of the clubs in North Armagh will be represented.

Lurgan Mail GAA reporter Eugene Creaney stated: “We are delighted Eire Og have agreed to host this year’s game. The pitch at Pinebank is very centrally located and the Eire Og players will also be on board this time which will also be a big boost. Unfortunately the charity game takes place on the same day as the Ulster Senior club final between Crossmaglen and Kilcoo, but with Armagh playing over the following two weekends in a tournament, it was crucial to pencil the ‘Town versus Country’ game in early. Hopefully we can tap into the feel good factor and swell the St. Vincent De Paul coffers.”

With the teams and interchange players to be announced early next week, clubs will be asked to supply up to four players each which will contain a balance of both attackers and defenders. Eugene Creaney believes that the enthusiasm in previous years, both players and managers, will continue this time around. “On previous occasions both squads had an average of 24 players each and the managers have always taken the event seriously. So that in itself is refreshing,” he stated.

Benedict Lavery, from the St. Vincent De Paul Society said: “Once again we are delighted the game is taking place. I know how tight the GAA calendar is and how difficult it is to get a pitch at this time of the year, so a big thank you to the Eire Og Club, The Portadown Times and Lurgan Mail. The money raised will be used to assist many vulnerable families particularly in the run up to Christmas, every penny raised will be well appreciated,” he stressed.