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Sporting superstars plan events to boost victims' fund Presidential Visit
BY: BARRY O'DONNELL

A GALAXY of superstars from the world of sport are lining up to help raise funds for the victims of the Omagh bombing.
Over recent weeks prominent figures within soccer, GAA and golfing circles have pledged their support and willingness to participate in a series of events, with the proceeds going to help alleviate the suffering of those affected by the atrocity in Market Street.
Glittering soccer friendlies, an all-star GAA match, and a Pro-Am tournament featuring some of the most celebrated names in golf, are just some of the fundraising activities in the pipeline.
Jim Boyce, Irish FA President, confirmed this week that Northern Ireland and the Republic will play in 'home' and away soccer friendly
internationals in aid of the bomb victims, with the first match expected to take place in November.
The two Irish governing bodies held negotiations regarding measures to help donate to the Omagh appeal fund.
Jim Boyce stated: "I feel that if these happen, it would be a tremendous boost for the game throughout Ireland and especially raise funds to help support the victims' families and the many people who were injured as a result of the Omagh bomb."
Republic manager Mick McCarthy also welcomed the proposal.
"For such a worthy cause we must all pull together at international and club level to make sure that these games go ahead to help the victims of the bombing and their families."
This proposals was mooted just a week after Omagh Town manager Roy McCreadie indicated that he had received a positive response from the five biggest clubs in Britain to his calls for assistance for the grief-stricken town.
Double winners Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Glasgow Celtic and Rangers all quickly offered their services and pledged to take part in a star-studded exhibition match on behalf of the Trust Fund established by Omagh District Council.
The Omagh manager has praised everyone who has sent goodwill messages to the club over the past fortnight and appreciated the gestures of the five soccer giants.
"It is to their credit that they have lent a hand at this harrowing time for everyone in Omagh. Obviously it is early stages as yet. We are working in conjunction with Omagh District Council and hope to get something sorted out after Christmas.
"At the moment it is extremely difficult to get a date because of the clubs European and league commitments."
Among the logistics to be ironed out is the issue of a suitable venue within the locality. Omagh Town's St.Julian's Road ground does not have a large enough capacity to host the game, which would leave Healy Park GAA ground as the most viable alternative.
McCreadie acknowledged that the Gortin Road site would be "ideal in these circumstances if the GAA gave permission" .
Such a setting for a GAA match would be unprecedented given the Association's long standing refusal to have 'foreign' games played on its grounds, but then what happened in Omagh on August 15th was also unprecedented within the context of the North's troubles over the last 30 years.
Chairman of the Tyrone County Board, Paul Doris, said he was annoyed that a local daily newspaper had sought last week to back the Association into a corner over the topic of the proposed soccer match.
"I thought the article was seeking to create division at a time when it is not appropriate to do so. As yet we have had no approach from Omagh Town or any other soccer authority over the availability of Healy Park so the matter is academic.
""If they did request use of the pitch then the County Board would meet to discuss the issue and would obviously take soundings from the Central Council before arriving at a decision."
Representatives of Omagh St.Enda's are known to back the proposal as is former Tyrone county official and Ulster Council representative, PJ McClean from Beragh, who said he welcomed the prospect of all sports people combining to contribute to a victims fund.
"As a trustee of GAA property I welcome any sharing of GAA facilities and I know that all other GAA personnel in Tyrone and elsewhere will be delighted to be in a position to offer help to those of all denominations whose lives have been permanently scarred by the Omagh bomb", said the former county representative.
However PJ McClean cautioned: "Now is not the time to make political points out of the death and suffering of other people. Instead it is a time for all of us to sympathise with their neighbours on their terrible loss of loved ones and to extend our good wishes for the recovery of those injured."
"Now is not the time, or was there ever a time, to draw lines of separation between those of any religious or political determination or between those of any different cultural background or allegiance."
Plans for the soccer match were also backed by local GAC official, Kevin Skelton, whose wife Philomena was one of those killed in the blast.
"Every little thing helps. Every card and message of sympathy helps to show that there's human nature in people. It helps to show that there are good honest people living on this island and that the bad are only a small minority.
" I would have no objection to the match being played at Healy Park but I wouldn't have a say in it. That decision would have to be taken at county level or above. I can't see, under the circumstances,why anyone would object to it."
Paul Doris was this week able to confirm Healy Park as the setting for a proposed all-star challenge GAA match between the winners of this year's All-Ireland football final and a select side which would be laden with top names drawn from other counties.
"Once the winners are know we will be in contact with them to arrange a memorial game in Omagh. Obviously there is the established tradition whereby the newly crowed All-Ireland champions play the GOAL charity match in the midweek after the final, but I believe, given the response to events in Omagh, that players will be keen to take part," stated Doris.
The county chairman was also delighted with the announcement by Joe McDonagh, the President of the GAA, that they were to set up a nationwide trust fund among all its clubs, counties and provinces.
As a first step it donated up to £250,000 to the fund, the proceeds of the refixed Clare versus Offaly All-Ireland Hurling semi-final replay which
took place last Saturday in Thurles.
Announcing details of the Trust Fund a GAA statement read: "The Association is currently considering the organisation of a nationwide trust among its units to raise funds to help alleviate the suffering among the families of the Omagh victims.
"As an initial exercise a substantial part of the proceeds from Saturday's games in Thurles will be allocated to this fund. Central Council does not intend benefiting financially from Saturday's games."
Paul Doris said that the President had been greatly moved by the Omagh bombing and attended several of the funerals.
"I am very pleased that Croke Park has taken this decision and set up a fund. I know that Joe McDonagh was up in Omagh, along with Jack Boothman, and witnessed at first hand the pain and suffering which people, were going through."
Meanwhile Tyrone golfing sensation Darren Clarke is to organise a Pro Am at Portmarnock on September 14, where he hopes to raise in the region of £150,000 for the local memorial fund.
The Dungannon star made the announcement while competing last week in the European Open at the K Club in County Kildare, where almost all the players wore black ribbons during the course of the tournament as a mark of respect to the Omagh dead.
Clarke explained why he had decided to organise the fundraising tournament.
"I don't know anyone personally who was killed, but being a Tyrone man and coming from less than 30 miles from Omagh I feel it is my duty to do what I can to help ease the pain of that tragedy on August 15.
"I have asked many of the players here and they are willing to help out. Already three members of the Ryder Cup team have said yes immediately and there's no doubt that when I contact the others they will also agree wholeheartedly.
"It's only right that we as professional golfers who are in a position to help do so. We hope to raise as much money as possible which we hope will go some way to helping out, but our minimum target is £150,000.
"I know this won't bring the people back to life who were murdered but I hope it does something to help in some small way."
Members of Portmarnock links - for whom Clarke is the touring pro - have given their full backing to the event, as have Aer Lingus which has donated flights for all the golfers who will play in the tournament.
The airline will fly those involved in the British Masters at the Forest of Arden that weekend to Dublin and then fly the players back again to whatever destination they wish.
"It's not that any of the other atrocities haven't affected me, but the slaughter in Omagh puts everything else in perspective .
"It's a town I know well as I played a lot of golf there as an amateur and being a Tyrone man I feel I just had to help in whatever way I could," Clarke stressed.