Players back for big charity game

The charity match will see the best players from north Armagh perform on the day with all the proceeds going to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

This year’s series is the fourth overall and the Country side have won the last two with the town side winning the inaugural game which, ironically, was also played at Clann Éireann Park. Back in 2009 the Sarsfields hosted the charity match and last year’s game was played at St. Pauls.

The Town and Country cup game, which is sponsored by the Portadown Times and Lurgan Mail newspapers so far has raised over £4000 for SVDP and, considering the success of local clubs in 2011, this year’s crowd could be the biggest to date.

The management teams are already in place and, as with in previous years, Kieran Robinson, who has ties with both Annaghmore and Sarsfields along with Wolfe Tones man Patsy Magee will be on the sideline for the Country side and Paul Henderson from Clan na Gael, Tommy Coleman (Clann Éireann) and Gary Mallon from Tír na nÓg are in charge of the Town outfit.

Full squads and starting line-outs will be announced over the coming days and early indications are suggesting, as with last season, both sides will have at least 20 of a squad to choose from.

Unfortunately, players from the Éire Óg club will be unavailable considering that the Pinebank side have Ulster semi-final against Tyrone side Derrytresk pencilled in for the same day.

There will, however, be a lot of big names lining out for both sides on the day at Clann Éireann along with a host of newcomers who have impressed over the past season.

On the day, players will be requested to meet at the Clann Éireann social club on Lake Street, Lurgan for a roll-call, etc.

All players and officials are invited to attend the post-game reception in the Clann Éireann club, where the man of the match award, sponsored by Thomas Moore’s Sports Department will take place.