True Legends are Gathering in Ballybofey…

The word “Legend” is an often overused word in describing great sporting prowess or great GAA games and an official definition states “anyone or anything whose fame promises to be enduring”.

The exploits of the youthful Clare team in winning the Liam McCarthy Cup on Saturday evening last, and in doing so beating a well fancied Cork side managed by the great Jimmy Barry Murphy, are already gaining legendary status. The fact that Cork only managed to lead both games for only 90 seconds is a testament to the Clare team but a word of warning….legends are not made in one sporting year !!

The more mature readers will recall the fair haired from the Club in the Kingdom of Kerry, setting off on many a solo run from his own half back line and kicking score after score in All-Ireland Finals…I thought that he ran on the tips of his toes..!!!!…then again Legends can perform true feats of skill. True Legend…11 Munster Medals, 2 National Football Medals, 8 All-Ireland Medals and 9 All-Star Awards.

Or Colm O Rourke gracefully weaving around flat-footed corner backs to score goals and points at ease, almost like a giant in slow motion. True Legend. 5 Leinster Medals, 3 National Football Legends, 2 All- Ireland Medals and 3 All-Star Awards.

Peter Canavan struck fear into whole football teams when he got the ball within scoring distance and his deft touches when scoring goals would be the pride of any Premiership player on €150k a week. True Legend. 5 Ulster Medals, 2 National Football Medals, 2 All-Irelands and 6 All-Star Awards.

The Great Eugene “Nudie” Hughes helped Monaghan to victory in 3 Ulster Football Championships and was the first Monaghan man to receive an All-Star Award. True Legend. 3 Ulster Medals, I National Football Medal and 3 All-Star Awards.

The quiet and reserved GAA pundit teased and tormented full back lines for fun during his hey days and his way of celebrating his scores is the stuff of real folk lore. True Legend. 2 Ulster Medals, 4 National Football League, 1 All-Ireland Medal and 2 All-Stars.

The GAA Legends that are due to play in McCumhaill Park in Ballybofey on Monday 7th October are real Legends and have over 30 All-Ireland Medals, over 50 Provincial Medals and 40+ All- Star Awards. This is a real gathering of True GAA Legends, not all GAA Legends, but a mouth watering gathering of GAA heros that have entertained hoards of supporters over the past 30 years. True Legends.

The ever growing latest list of GAA Legends includes the following: Kieran McGeeney, (Armagh), (Dublin), Eamon O’Hara (Sligo), Fergal McGill (Leitrim) Pauric Dunne (Offaly), (), (Derry), (Tyrone), Brian McGuigan(Tyrone), Jayson Sherlock (Dublin), Joe Brolly (Derry), Nudie Hughes (Monaghan), (Dublin), Dara O Shea (Kerry), Seamus Darby (Offaly), Colm O’Rourke (Meath), Pat Spillane (Kerry) and local Donegal heros include Martin McHugh, James McHugh, , , Barry McGowan, Brendan Deveeney and Mark Crossan. The Legends team is growing day by day as word of the event spreads from to county.

The exploits of the Donegal Team in 2012 will be remembered for a long time and some of these great players are represented on the NYPD & Donegal 2012 Team which includes Michael Murphy, , Colm McFadden, Paul Durkan, Neil McGee, Neil Gallagher, Frank McGlynn, Anthony Thompson and Mark McHugh. The NYPD Club are sending over almost 50 of their finest players and indeed the full forward on the team is CJ Molloy, a nephew of All-Ireland winning in 1992 Anthony Molloy.

In Jacksons Hotel from 8.30pm there is a chance to enjoy some refreshments and meet the players from both teams and a great night is promised. An after match celebrity interview panel will give their analysis and assessment of the evenings football with lots of surprise awards on offer for both teams. As is usual with all Donegal and New York events a lively mix of entertainment is lined up with David Craige, Grainne Gavigan, Anne Biddie, Deirdre Bonner and Gary Gamble from Highland Radio. A massive draw for signed jerseys from all over the country will also take place on the night.

This football match followed by the “meet and greet” in Jacksons Hotel is a great family event that celebrates the unique relationship between Donegal and New York and promises to be a fun event with all proceeds going to the Friends of General Hospital.

For tickets or further information please contact the box office on 074 9104466 or www.friendsoflgh.ie or follow us on Facebook.