A great crowd gathered at Western Gaels GAA Club recently as the ‘Play for Paul’ charity match was played out between a team of Over 30s and a team of Under 30s featuring some stars of the past and present.
Paul Higgins sadly passed away last April following a brave 15-year battle with cancer. Paul was an inspirational and influential figure on and off the pitch and the big crowd present last weekend was testament to this.
As for the game itself, the U-30s’ forward line featured Fintan Cregg, Niall Higgins, James Gallagher, Finbar Cregg and Paul’s sons and joint captains, Ryan and Jack Higgins. This exciting attack was well served by Kevin Higgins and Cathal Shine at midfield.
There was no blanket defence present in Frenchpark and at half-time the score was 3-7 to 2-7 in favour of the U-30s.
However, this ‘youthful’ side were almost blitzed by a vintage Over 30s performance on the resumption, with Ted Moore in particular causing the U-30s all sorts of problems. Moore hit an incredible 2-8 in a man of the match display.
Match commentator Enda Beirne did well to keep count of the scores in the second half as goals galore had Sky Sports bidding for the rights for next year’s action!
In the end it was the U-30s who edged it despite a wonderful display of attacking football from the Over 30s.
The organisers offered sincere thanks to everyone for their generosity and support over the last few weeks, particularly Martin Dowd of Finesse Medical, who sponsored playing kits; and Western Gaels who supplied the facilities.
A raffle also took place in the Chariot Bar and a full list of winners is available on the Facebook page ‘Play for Paul’. All proceeds are going to the Mater Oncology Ward.
