CUCHULAINN GAELS WILL this weekend host a raft of top GAA names for its charity match to commemorate the first ever documented game of Gaelic football.
The Louth club has decided to organise the event in honour of the 1750 match, which took place in Bevan’s Meadow, Omeath, and 30 inter-county stars from past and present will don retro kits and contest the challenge match on Saturday (1pm).
Thanks to retrogaa.com, the teams will wear replica jerseys of the Louth All-Ireland-winning side of 1957 (which looks a lot like an Irish rugby shirt) and Cork’s 1945 team and play with an old-styled brown ball. Three players of that era – Frank Lynch, Kevin Behan and Seamus McDonnell – will be present on the day.
Prior to throw-in, GAA president Liam O’Neill will unveil a plaque to remember the historic event. A celebrity penalty-shootout will follow the match and Olympic silver medallist Paddy Barnes will be in attendance.
There will be also be a family BBQ, juvenile training sessions taken by the players and later that evening, the Cornamucklagh House hosts a post-match get together.
Organiser Ivan McQuaid said: “I had not been aware of the details or historical significance of the event but the Irish Historical Society in Omeath brought it to our attention so we decided to arrange the game.
“There will be 10-12 intercounty players on each team and the rest made up of Cuchulainn Gaels players. We actually had many more who were keen to be involved but because of fixture clashes some of them will be with their clubs on the day.
We’re looking forward to a great day for the community.”
Donations on the day will go to the Act of Retirement in Omeath, the hosipice, the Irish Historical Society, the Tidy Towns committees and Cuchulainn Gaels.
The players set to be involved include: Joe Brolly, Enda Gormley, Paddy Bradley, Aiden O’Rourke, Kieran McGeeney, Benny Tierney, Steven McDonnell, Tony McEntee, Kevin Dyas, Trevor Giles, Padraig O’Neill, Gareth O’Neill, Liam McHale, James Gallagher, Paddy Keenan, Peter Fitzpatrick, Seamus O’Hanlon, Shane Lennon, Sean McGreevy, Kevin Brady, Michael McCann, Mickey Linden, Mattie McGleenan, Ciaran McBride, Paddy Cunningham, Brian Burns, DJ Kane, Dan Gordan, James McCartan, Benny Coulter, Ross Carr, Greg McCartan, Tony Boyle, JJ Doherty, Adrain Sweeney, Trevor Giles, Ollie Murphy, Graham Gerathy Sean O Domhnaill, Sean Og O Hailpin, Jody Gormley, Paul Curran, Vinny Murphy, Barney Rock, Shane King, Niall Cahalane, Larry Tompkins and John Doyle.
