PRESS RELEASE

Gregory Mc Cartan and his team hosted their "Playing For Life" Gala Banquet in the Slieve Donard Hotel Newcastle on Friday 6th October with some 300 guests in attendance.

Gregory was approached some time back by old playing foes Robbie O’Malley (Meath) and Barney Rock (Dublin) to get involved in the "Playing For Life". programme

Berni Flynn, Bomber Liston, Kevan Owens, Francis McAlinden, Michael Hawkins

The funds raised by the Playing-for-life programme are used to provide sporting facilities and programmes to combat the spread of HIV/Aids by delivering education on this problem via sports activities and educational programmes.

Gregory's remit was to put a team together consisting of construction workers, finance experts, medical experts, midwifery or IT experts. To that end Gregory selected four other  former GAA players from his Castlewellan Club: Rory McCabe (joiner), Ollie Doyle (project manager), Cillian Keaveney (Accountant) and Kevan Owens (IT Analyst ).

Gregory’s team will join others from the GAA sporting world who have volunteered to travel at their own expense to Malawi this year as part of the “Playing For Life” program. They leave on 18th October and their remit is to participate along with others in building an education centre and also to  educate the people of the area in basic finance, IT and health skills as well as coach both football and hurling skills.

Part of the remit for each group traveling was to raise €25,000 to buy materials and equipment, and to this end Gregory’s group was ably assisted by  Club colleague Kevin Sweeney and Seamus Ryan (Clann na Bann) .

Their main fund raising venture was a Gala Dinner in the Slieve Donard Hotel. Guests included : Eoin Liston, Jack O´Se (Kerry), Peter Canavan (Tyrone) , Steven McDonnell (Armagh),  Robbie O´Malley and Bernie Flynn (Meath), Declan Carr (Tipperary), Ritchie Conor, Pauric Dunn (Offaly).

Comedian "BIG O" entertained the guests and music was provided by the superb “The Booze Brothers”.

During the meal the guests were entertained by a slideshow and short video showing the Malawi trip in 2005. Following dinner

M.C. for the evening Kevin Sweeney introduced the five members of the Castlewellan club that would be traveling to Malawi and then invited the following distinguished guest to say a few words:-

First up was Kerry Legend Eoin “Bomber” Liston who spoke about his experiences in Malawi in 2005. Speaking on behalf of the "Playing for Life" project he thanked the attended guests for their generosity and the help they have given to the traveling party to help them reach their financial limit. He highlighted the work that the boys will be doing in Malawi and thanked them for giving up their time to help the underprivileged. He described the Malawi people as "A gorgeous people similar to the Irish of the 50's, seeking a little help and knowledge to improve standards. Surely it is not acceptable in 2006 that a human being suffering from HIV should have to also battle against hunger as well"

Robbie O'Malley (Meath) – said that his visit to Malawi last year was the most enriching and educating experience that he had ever been fortunate enough to be part of. Continuing, he said that “it appears that sometimes the poorer people are, the more appreciative they are of the smallest gestures of kindness. The African experience certainly gives alot of food for thought to those of us from the western world"

Jack O'Se (Kerry) told guests that for him the trip to Malawi was a fantastic experience and really opened his eyes to another world.

Concluding the speeches Gregory McCartan thanked everyone that had contributed to the project for their kind donations and thanked those that attended the gala dinner. He thanked the Slieve Donard Hotel for their hospitality and he paid a special word of thanks to Kevin Sweeny and Seamus Ryan for all their help and assistance in organizing this wonderful event.

Gregory McCartan remarked that he had led or captained many a team during a career that “seemed but a short dream” but leading a small team to Malawi had the potential to be the most rewarding of all. He was traveling as a representative of all who had so generously contributed.

He also thanked and welcomed all the GAA stars that had traveled from near and far to be there on the night and informed guests their target of €25,000 had been reached and that all sponsors and donators would be formally and publicly acknowledged. He made a special word of thanks to the Downpatrick Friends of Malawi Committee and their Chairman William Murphy for the very substantial donation to his fund and to his own St Malachy’s Club for all their support and assistance.

Gregory MCartan accepting a cheque for £4000 from the Downpatrick friends of Malawi Committee Charman – William Murphy and committee – included are Rory McCabe, Kevan Owens, Cillian Keavney and Oliver Doyle

PHOTOS BY T HOLLYWOOD