South Mayo footballers raise over €1,200 for Mayo Roscommon Hospice in farewell charity game

South Mayo Minor Charity Match

South Mayo (Red) 2-14 

South Mayo (Green) 3-7

Oisín McGovern in Bekan

THE footballers of South Mayo raised over €1,200 for the Mayo Roscommon Hospice with their last dance as underage footballers at the University of Galway Airdome at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence this evening. 

A selection of players born in 2005 from Claremorris, Mayo Gaels and Davitts had too much for their opponents from Carras, Hollymount/Carramore, Shrule/Glencorrib, Ballinrobe and The Neale, who mounted a spirited comeback after being overwhelmed in the first half. 

Each player was presented with a commemorative jersey featuring a map of all nine clubs in the South Mayo area.

Players and mentors all received a commemorative medal to recognise their work on and off the field over the past decade. 

_{A selection of players from Claremorris, Mayo Gaels and Davitts pictured after the South Mayo Minor Charity Match in the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan with their commemorative jerseys}

_{A selection of players from Carras, Hollymount/Carramore, Shrule/Glencorrib, Ballinrobe and The Neale pictured after the South Mayo Minor Charity Match in the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan with their commemorative jerseys}

Speaking after the match, Donal Walshe, Chairman of South Mayo GAA said: "There's two reasons we are doing this; it's obviously the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. It's something that's very important, it's something that's needed, it's something that's very close to people's hearts. And also to acknowledge what yee have achieved in the last ten years. We have battled against each other, we've paid with, against [each other], had fun, had tears the whole lot over a ten year period, and it's something I feel should be commemorated."

The players' parents and mentors were also acknowledged with a round of applause for their support during their underage football careers. 

Martina Jennings, CEO of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, thanked everyone who had lent their support to the fundraising game. 

_{Martina Jennings (left), CEO of Mayo Roscommon Hospice, pictured with Donal Walshe, South Mayo GAA Chairman}

Mayo Roscommon Hospice provided palliative care to 280 people in its Mayo hospice in 280 and 110 in its Roscommon Hospice and is almost entirely reliant on fundraised income. 

A full report of the game will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.