JACKMAN Park will see an all-star line-up on this Friday March 14 for a special charity soccer match in aid of Pieta House.
Organised by Blue Shinners, owner of Eastway Fitness Club on the Ballysimon Road, the game will feature a host of well-known names from sporting and entertainment circles.
Anthony Foley, who will take over as Munster Rugby coach next season, will be one of the team captains, along with a surprise announcement on Friday for the other captaincy.
Others taking part include FAI chief executive John Delaney, RTE commentator Marty Morrissey, Willie O’Dea TD, Limerick FC chairman Pat O’Sullivan, comedian Jon Kenny and TV presenter Brian Ormond, as well as several GAA and rugby players from Limerick and further afield.
Blue said that the decision to stage a soccer match as a fundraiser was an easy one and he described sport as “the greatest anti-depressant in the world.”
He added: “Sport really elevates people and brings the best out of them. You could wake up as the most miserable person in the world and then have your mood totally changed when your favourite team scores a goal.
“This is about getting people together, getting them out and about and interacting. Every person involved in this really wants to help. I didn’t have to ask anyone a second time.
“We quickly hit our quota of 40 and we could have done so twice over. We might have another fundraiser later in the year. This is about raising awareness of suicide. It costs €1,000 to save one life and if we can raise that €1,000, we will have done our job.”
Blue chose Pieta House as the subject of the fundraiser after a family member was affected by a friend’s suicide. He said: “You only have to go down there to see the services that they give and the work that they do. They are helping people to survive through pain and hurt.”
People taking part include:
- Anthony Foley, Munster Rugby
- Mick Galwey, ex-Munster Rugby
- Mick O’Driscoll, ex-Munster Rugby
- Anthony Horgan, ex-Munster Rugby
- John Delaney, FAI chief executive
- Marty Morrissey, RTE
- Willie O’Dea TD
- Willie Casey, boxer
- Pat O’Sullivan, Limerick FC owner
- Brian Ormonde, TV presenter
- Jon Kenny, comedian
- Stephen Keogh, Leinster Rugby
- Shane Byrne, ex-Leinster Rugby
- John Galvin, Limerick footballer
- Leo O’Connor, ex-Limerick hurler
- Niall Moran, ex-Limerick hurler
- Fergal Lynch, ex-Clare hurler
- Gerry Quinn, ex-Clare hurler
- Jason O’Connor, FAI
