A unique challenge game which will see Glinsk/Creggs Masters take on their counterparts in St. Croan’s (Ballymoe/Ballintubber) takes place this Saturday at Enfield pitch in Ballintubber at 2.30 pm. An eagerly awaited tussle, it has all the ingredients for a fast, open game of football! Whatever the level of skill or pace (or lack of) evident on the day, the event is for a very worthy cause, as organisers hope to raise funds for the Maria Watt Birmingham Foundation, which helps patients with childhood and teenage Leukaemia. The local connection is Maria Watt, who lost her battle with the disease in July 2005 at the young age of 17. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in June 2005 and died one month later. She lived in Birmingham, but her grandmother Rita Farris (nee Mulvihill) originates from a well-known family in Toberroe, Glinsk. When the Foundation was established as a registered charity, the Mulvihill family raised funds locally to support the charity. One of the organisers of this charity game, Tom Cunningham, undertook to do something to contribute in a meaningful way to this worthy cause and came up with the novel pairing. It’s truly a unique event and one which should prove enjoyable for local football enthusiasts of all ages. Sports stars from the four areas of Glinsk, Creggs, Ballymoe and Ballintubber will compete, representing two parishes and of course a bit of Galway/Roscommon rivalry thrown in for good measure! It is hoped that many of the great players who represented these clubs in years gone by will again be seen on the sporting field on Saturday in Ballintubber at 2.30 pm. The St. Croan’s line-up will include one of the organisers, Michael Holland, a great GAA man at club and county level who was recently appointed provincial treasurer in Connacht. Also taking part will be local councillor Anthony Waldron, Dicksie ‘Dashing’ Thompson, Tom ‘The Pocket Rocket’ King, Micko Kenny, Brendan Egan, Philip Gunning and PJ Shanagher. Glinsk/Creggs are expected to have in their ranks, the Cunniffe brothers, the Dowd brothers, James Shevlin, John Dowd, Martin Hurley and that famed free-taker Pat O’Neill, as well as James Gavin and maybe even the legendary Frank Brandon, complete with his two plastic hips! Organisers are hoping that players will throw in a small contribution and there will be a voluntary subscription box at the gate. A raffle will also be held that night in Garvey’s, Ballintubber, where light refreshments will be served after the game.
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