Bohemian Football Club will celebrate its 125th year with an exhibition match in Dalymount Park on Sunday, 6th September, with all proceeds going to suicide and self-harm charity Pieta House.
Bohemian Legends will play FAI International Masters, a side drawn from veterans of League of Ireland clubs. The match takes place on the precise date of the founding meeting, in 1890, of Bohemian Football Club.
Glen Crowe, Trevor Molloy, Tony O’Connor, Stephen Caffrey and Shaun Maher are among those who will wear the red and black of Bohemians again on this very special occasion. Former Shamrock Rovers leading goal-scorer Mick Byrne will manage the FAI Masters, who include Maurice Farrell, Paul McNally, Billy Woods and Marc Kenny.
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“I’m very grateful to Bohemian Football Club for choosing Pieta House as their charity partner for this exhibition match. Events of this kind are essential not only to fundraise, but also to raise awareness of suicide and self-harm in our communities,” said CEO of Pieta House Brian Higgins.
“Our vision is to live in a world where suicide, self-harm and stigma have been replaced by hope, self-care and acceptance. Supporting and looking out for each other is a vital part of team sports and I encourage everyone, the audience, club staff and team members to continue to look after themselves and to watch out for each other.”
Glen Crowe and Paul McGee, another former Bohemian footballer and a member of the FAI Masters, who has spoken candidly about his own struggle with depression, urge support for the charity match in a video interview posted today at https://vimeo.com/137028210
Mick Byrne said the Masters initiative aimed to support former League of Ireland players, in particular their mental health and well-being. “A few were in a bad place when they joined us, and some have told us their lives have changed because of getting involved,” Byrne said. The Masters have played over 20 games in 18 months, raising many thousands for charity.
- Bohemian Legends v FAI International Masters, Dalymount Park, Sunday 6th September, kick-off 3pm. Admission €5; children under 12 go free.
About Pieta House
Pieta House is a suicide and self-harm crisis centre founded in Lucan, Co. Dublin in 2006. With nine centres throughout Ireland, Pieta House provides a professional one-to-one therapeutic service for those who are experiencing suicidal ideation or engaging in self-harm. A doctor’s referral or a psychiatric report is not required and the service is completely free of charge. To date, Pieta House has supported more than 17,500 people, with more than 5,000 of those seeking help in 2014. There are four centres in the Dublin area including in Finglas, Lucan, Ballyfermot and Tallaght.
