TC/0738

British and Irish sports stars to boost trust fund

TYRONE Ryder Cup star, Darren Clarke, has joined the growing list of sporting celebrities, aiming to help boost the Omagh bomb victims' trust fund.
Clarke, from neighbouring Dungannon, took time off from last weekend's European Open at the K. Club in Co. Kildare, to announce plans for a major Pro-am.
He said he hoped the 28 team tournament, which is scheduled to tee off on the world famous Portmarnock links course near Dublin on September 14, would raise IR£150,000.
"I know we can't bring people back, but we would like to do something to show our support for all those people who have suffered and the pain they are going through," said Ireland's top golfer.
And he said he believed the tourney would be supported by a galaxy of British and Irish Ryder Cup players, and other world class players.
"Fortunately, I am now in a position where I can ask some guys to come over and play as a favour. The ones I have asked so far are only too willing to come," said Clarke.
Speaking from Royal Portrush on Monday, he said many other golfers were attempting to rearrange their diaries to free-up the date of the Pro-am.
Donation
Meanwhile, the Gaelic Athletic Association has confirmed that it will make what is likely to be a another six-figure donation to the fund this weekend.
The bulk of the gate receipts from Sunday's all-Ireland hurling semi-final replay between Offaly and Clare, at Thurles, in Co. Tipperary, are to be given to the fund.
A spokesman for the association said the GAA did not intend to benefit at all financially from the replay.
And the association is to be asked to sanction a 22,000 sell-out all-star soccer fixture at Healy Park, home of Omagh St. Enda's GAA club, after players from several of the top Premiership clubs in England and Scotland, agreed to offer their services.
Omagh Town boss, Roy McCreadie, revealed last week that he had been in touch with Glasgow's 'big two', Rangers and Celtic, and Manchester United and Liverpool.
Soccer on GAA grounds is normally a 'taboo'. It is classed as a foreign' game, but the association is coming under pressure to make an exception in this instance.
Local GAA officials have given the game their blessing, and, in addition to the support of Omagh District councillors for the venture, Drumquin-based GAA referee, Mr. Kevin Skelton, has said he is in favour.
Mr. Skelton, whose wife, Mena, was killed in the Omagh car bombing said: "Every little thing helps. I would have no objection to the match being played at Healy Park."
Mr. Brendan McAleer, the chairman of St. Enda's, said: "On a personal level, I wouldn't object to such an event. I don't see any major problems."
Mr. Paddy McGowan, an independent local councillor, added: "I would be keen to see the match played at Healy Park. With respect to the GAA and their rules, I think they should be above any talk of not allowing this soccer match at one of their venues."
He said there was nowhere else locally which could cater for the expected crowd, and he believed the GAA should clear the decks to ensure their "own kith and kin" were aided by the proposed exhibition match.
Andy Cole visit
One of the players, who could be expected to feature in the game, is Manchester United striker, Andy Cole.
Cole was receiving a presentation from the Omagh Manchester United Supporters Club, as their 1997/98 player of the year, at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 15, when news came through of the bomb attack.
He has since written to the supporters club, saying how sorry he was to learn of the full extent of the bombing, and indicated that he would like to do something for the town, particuarly for its young people.
A spokesman for the supporters club said: "United were very good to the 50 people on the trip. They opened their offices to us, and provided facilities and telephone use free of charge.
"Officials have continued to remain in touch with us since we arrived home, and we now hope to arrange the Andy Cole visit as soon as possible."