Galway’s biggest hurling stars will pay tribute to a teammate and raise funds for charity in the Niall Donohue Memorial Match next month.
The charity game will take place on December 10, where the Leinster title winning team of 2012 will take on a 2017 All-Ireland winning selection at Kilbeacanty GAA Club.
Some of the most famous names in Galway hurling will be there, with funds raised going to support Jigsaw, the youth mental health charity, and Kilbeacanty GAA.
Tickets for the game will be limited and are available on www.jigsaw.ie/hurlingforniall.
We are looking forward to playing in this memorial game to recognise our teammate and friend Niall Donohue,” said Tony Og Regan, spokesperson for the organising committee, and former county teammate of Niall.
“This game is also about raising awareness and funds to help meet the mental health challenges that affects many people in our families and communities.”
Niall Donohue played for Kilbeacanty and Galway as a minor, under-21 and senior.
In 2011, he won an under-21 All-Ireland before going onto win a senior Leinster title in 2012. Niall tragically died by suicide on 23rd of October 2013 at the age of 22.
Justin Fahey of Kilbeacanty GAA said, “We are very much looking forward to hosting the Niall Donohue Memorial Game in what will be a very special and poignant day for our club.”
“It will be a great privilege to have Niall’s former Galway teammates from 2012 and the 2017 All-Ireland winning team play a game in his memory at our newly redeveloped grounds.”
“A core aim of this event is to raise awareness of mental health and suicide in young people. We are honoured to partner with the youth mental health charity Jigsaw which does invaluable work in communities to assist young people who may be struggling.”
“Niall will never be forgotten in our club; he will always be our shining star and we will remember him at this special event on the 10th of December and we very much look forward to welcoming you all to Kilbeacanty”
The match will also be streamed online and will include expert panel for match analysis along with player interviews.
There will also be a series of activities taking place across the day at Kilbeacanty GAA Club and later that evening in McCarthy’s Bar, Kilbeacanty.
