Offaly hurling and camogie stars rise to challenge for worthy causes
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Kate Brennan, Service Manager with Jigsaw Offaly, and Robbie Donnelly, Chairman of Offaly Down Syndrome, receive the sliotar from Offaly hurler David O’Toole after he took part in the solo run replay challenge. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie. ©INPHO/James CrombieImage 2 of 4
Becky Bryant, Amy Byrne, Emma Mulrooney and Sharon Shanahan, winners of the variety show with their entertaining carpool act.Image 3 of 4
Offaly hurler Paul Kinsella taking part in the solo run challenge from Kilcormac to Tullamore. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie. ©INPHO/James CrombieImage 4 of 4
Brian Watkins participating in the solo run challenge from Kilcormac to Tullamore. Picture: INPHO/James Crombie. ©INPHO/James CrombieOffaly hurling and camogie players have raised over €60,000 for JIGSAW and Down Syndrome Offaly through their virtual variety show and solo relay challenge.
The virtual variety show saw 14 acts, including members of the county senior and U-20 hurling teams, along with manager Michael Fennelly and a selection of camogie stars, show off their talents in a bid to raise funds for two very worthy causes. Last Saturday night’s show was available to watch on the Offaly GAA website and social media channels.
Becky Bryant, Emma Mulrooney, Sharon Shanahan and Amy Byrne proved the most popular act with their production of ‘Offaly Girls Carpool - Covid Edition’ (also called ‘An Offaly Bad Carpool Karaoke’).
In second place were ‘The Backward Boys’, a group consisting of Shinrone men Dan Doughan, Michael Cleary, Jason Sampson, Sean Cleary and Killian Sampson. Durrow trio and Ballinamere hurlers Ciaran Burke, Brian Duignan and Ross Ravenhill were third.
Judges for the event were Connacht and Ireland rugby star Ultan Dillane, comedian and Offaly native Neil Delamere and digital journalist Lauren Guilfoyle. Sports broadcaster Will O’Callaghan of Midlands 103 and Newstalk acted as MC on the night, with the Birr native overseeing proceedings in typically capable fashion.
Those Offaly hurlers who didn’t make the cut for the variety show were up bright and early last Sunday morning for the solo relay challenge from Kilcormac to Tullamore (a distance of around 20 kilometres). The relay solo run started at the Down Syndrome offices in Kilcormac and finished in the Jigsaw offices in Tullamore.
Overall, donations received far exceeded expectations and the hurlers, together with team manager Michael Fennelly, and the camogie players, expressed their thanks to all who contributed to the success of the event.