Garrymore GAA launch ‘Quid Game’ fundraiser

AN adaptation of one of the goriest, most exciting games on television will come to South Mayo on the August Bank Holiday weekend when Garrymore bring their ‘Quid Game’ fundraiser to Claremorris.

Over 40 contestants from Garrymore and further afield will test their wits and reflexes in six skill-based challenges for a €10,000 cash prize on one unmissable night of fun in the McWilliam Park Hotel on August 4.

Unlike the ‘Squid Game’ Netflix drama which inspired the competition, there will be no actual death involved. It will, however, still be a ‘fight to the death’ with one contestant emerging with the big prize.

The contestants, which include former Mayo ladies captain Sarah Tierney, are already busy fundraising for the event, which is the biggest that the club has hosted in several years.

The South Mayo club intends to use the proceeds of the fundraiser to construct an indoor astro-turf in the hall at their clubhouse.

The club has secured a Clár grant for the development, which will allow them to host indoor sporting events and other gatherings.

“We’ve a lot of work done in Garrymore over the last five to ten years and we’re looking at doing a few bits more and we wanted to bring all the club together,” Garrymore GAA Chairman, Danny McHugh, told The Mayo News at the launch of the Quid Game fundraiser at The Ranch in Claremorris.

“The great thing about it is there isn’t an awful lot of work involved for the contestants. They basically show up on the night, they do a bit of fundraising and then we all come out on the night and enjoy the fun.”

Garrymore GAA has undertaken extensive development of its facilities in recent years, include the development of an astroturf pitch, a new car park, dugouts and walking track.

Its facilities are used by various local groups, including its newly-formed rounders club.

“A lot of clubs don’t have a local shop, they don’t have a post office. In churches, the attendances are dwindling, so the GAA club is the focal point of so many communities now. There is no better example than in Garrymore, because there is nothing else,” said McHugh.

“You see the night of championship games, it’s an electric atmosphere over there, especially since we did the lighting.”

McHugh said the fundraiser, which is being delivered in conjunction with Clubspot, has been a ‘great success’ in other clubs around the country.

Contestants are currently organising various activities to reach their individual fundraising targets.

“We’ll have everything from coffee mornings to car washes, spinathons, card games, table quizzes, 5ks, so they are all using their own bit of entrepreneurship to generate a bit of money,” said McHugh.

“It has gotten a bit of excitement into the club because it’s everyone from all different ages and parents and kids and different connections they’d have in different clubs nearby that have come in to help us.

“There’s a goodwill out there about Garrymore. I suppose a lot of us are helping out with other clubs doing fundraisers. We’re looking for a bit of help with this, hopefully, and we think it will be a great success.”

Garrymore’s Quid Game fundraiser takes place in the McWilliam Park Hotel on Sunday, August 4. 

Anyone interested in participating in the contest can contact the club on social media or email pro.garrymore.mayo@gaa.ie.