A Bohemians XI heads west this Sunday to take on Westport United in a fundraising game to raise money for Talk About It, a national voluntary organisation based in Mayo, which promotes the prevention of suicide in Ireland.
The challenge match, which kicks off at 2.30pm, is a renewal of an old friendship dating back to the early 20th century.
Frank Gill, a native of the Quays area of Westport, was involved with the Gypsies in the 1900s and it was through this connection that the Connacht club adopted their red and black colours.
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On one occasion, Harold Sloan, who scored in Bohs’ only IFA Cup final victory in 1908, planted a tree in recognition of the clubs’ friendship.
To further raise awareness for the work of Talk About It, Sunday’s game will be broadcast live on Setanta Sports Ireland.
Setanta Sports commercial director Trevor Twamley said: “To demonstrate our support for this important charity event, which we will broadcast live to 1.2million homes, Setanta Sports has shifted AC Milan from Setanta Ireland to Setanta Sports 1 to make way for Westport United and Bohemians.”
Tickets (adults €10, children €5) for the match are available locally in Wesport from Downtown Records, Henry McGlade Music Store and the Mill Times Hotel.
As part of its fundraising drive Talk About It is also running a monster memorabilia at the Westport Woods Hotel on Sunday November 4.
The charity’s founder Joe McGuire said: “We have already started on this mammoth task and among those we have received are fully signed jerseys from the Irish national rugby squad and the Dublin Gaelic football team to whom we send out thanks.”
