Simon and Lauri Donnelly and their three children have swapped life in the city of York in the UK for pastures new on Clare Island off the Mayo coast.
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02 Jan 2026
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02 Jan 2026
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Claremorris and Vancouver Éire Óg players alongside referee John Glavey following their hugely entertaining charity game.
A penalty shoot-out was required in Claremorris on New Year's Day before Vancouver Éire Óg edged past the home side at the end of a thrilling and unique charity match in Canon Gibbons Park. The visitors were full value for their win after playing some top-class football all afternoon. They led by a point in the closing moments before eventually coming out on top from the penalty spot.
The well-attended contest raised funds for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, a charity very close to the hearts of many of the players involved on both sides.
The Vancouver club was formed in 2018 and has a strong Mayo influence. Swinford's JP McLoughlin has been to the forefront, on and off the pitch, while former Claremorris attacker Mikey Higgins has captained Éire Óg to some memorable victories in the modern port city on Canada's west coast.
On New Year's day, Higgins had the honour of leading his adopted club against his home club and when he was in the right place at the right time to kick the first point of the game a huge cheer echoed around the ground he knows so well.
John Glavey was the man with the whistle for the big game and he contributed to a hugely entertaining spectacle, which was nip and tuck from start to finish.
Éire Óg players, past and present, traveled from Canada and many parts of Ireland to take part in the game, with men from Cork, Belfast, Kildare, Laois and Down among those lining out on the day.
Among the Mayo natives on the Vancouver team were Mikey Higgins (Claremorris), JP McLoughlin (Swinford), Darragh McIntyre (Swinford), Cathal Carney (Ballyhaunis), Brian Maloney (Hollymount), Daniel Murphy (Claremorris) and Stephen McGreal (Claremorris).
"We're so proud to bring Éire Óg to Mayo," McLoughlin told The Mayo News. "It's great to start 2026 here in Mayo and we want to thank everyone who made it possible, especially everyone in Claremorris GAA. Vancouver Éire Óg is a home-from-home for so many people, male and female, but we never forget where we come from and it was brilliant for us to play here today and help support such a worthy cause as the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation."
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