Sporting celebrities lined up for brendan devenney memorial
A deluge of celebrities from local, national and international sport, as well as the entertainment industry, will descend on Mullingar on Sunday May 31 for a fundraising soccer extravaganza in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.
The first leg of the fundraiser will be a charity match between the Mullingar All-Stars (with celebrities) and the Brendan Devenney All-Stars (with celebrities) at Mullingar Athletic's Gainstown grounds at 3pm (gates open: 2pm).
Taking charge of one team will be former Westmeath senior football manager Luke Dempsey, with former Liverpool, Aston Villa and Republic of Ireland star Steve Staunton taking the reins of the other.
After the on-field action ends, it's back to the Greville Arms Hotel, Mullingar for a gala 'Meet the Legends' night with the stars over a four course meal, with live entertainment provided by 'Fallen Lights' and an as yet unnamed comedian.
The event is dedicated to the memory of the late Brendan Devenney, the young Mullingar man who died suddenly while backpacking in India earlier this year.
All proceeds from the event will be directed to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT), which was set up in 2013 following the tragic death abroad of a young Newry man, Kevin Bell.
Following his death a fund was established to bring his body home and with the monies left over, and subsequent fundraisers, a further 60 families have been assisted in the repatriation of loved ones.
Among the celebrity players lined up are Liverpool legend Alan Kennedy; former Republic of Ireland defenders Paul McGrath and Phil Babb; Watford midfielder and Delvin man Connor Smith; Ipswich star Stephen Hunt, nephew of Mullingar-based former teacher Tom; FAI chief executive John Delaney; world no. 10 darts player Brendan Dolan; Fair City's 'Deco Bishop' (Dave O'Sullivan), 'Damien Halpin' (Maclean Burke) and 'Wayne Molloy' (Victor Burke); MMA star Patrick 'Hooligan' Holohan; boxer Paul McCloskey; Kilkenny hurling legend DJ Carey, and a host of local Gaelic games and soccer stars.
Lining out for the Mullingar All-Stars team along with their celebrity colleagues, and under the direction of former Ireland boss Staunton and his assistant Gareth Hayes (of sports promoters GH Memorabilia), will be: Colm Baker, Joe Doyle, Niall Dunne, Kevin Dunlevy, Gerry Tarleton, Charlie Clinton, Mark Coyne, Michael Fadian, Kevin 'Hagi' Keegan (capt.), Mark Gaye, Kevin Smith, Tom Hunt, Brendan Murtagh, Colm Burke, Amy Matthews, Tosh Keena and Stephen Molloy.
In the 'Brendan Devenney All-Stars' corner - managed by Luke Dempsey and his assistant Jonathan Plunkett - will be: Christy Keena, Jason Wallace, Jacko McNamee (capt.), Ned Moore, Nigel Graham, Owen Price, Patrick Kiernan, Paul Devine, Niall Spain, Anthony Doran, Pamela Greville, Joe O'Connor, Alan Graham, Willie Murtagh, Stephen McNamee, Damien Kiernan, Niall Scally and Ollie McNamee, joined by their apportioned celebrities.
The big match kicks off at 3pm, with the Gainstown gates opening at 2pm. Entry fees are €10 for adults, and €3 for children.
Those wishing to meet and greet the celebrity guests at the Greville Arms afterwards - and to enjoy a four-course meal, followed by entertainment - will be asked to contribute €50.
Guests will arrive at the Greville at 7.30pm, with dinner served at 8pm, and a ticket to this event will also stand as admission to the charity soccer match earlier in the day.
Tickets for the gala night are on sale at the Greville Arms, and to book your seat, phone the hotel on 044 934 8563.