Sarsfields super solos raises thousands

A SATURDAY filled with solos, smiles and spirit saw the Drumragh Sarsfields GAC raise an incredible £10,000 – and counting! – for Trocaire.

 

Successfully organised by Drumragh’s senior footballers, ‘The Great Solo Re-Run’ challenge saw approximately 350 participants – including the club’s Gaelic Start players, senior mens’ and ladies’ teams, committee members and club supporters – showcase their soloing skills for the worthwhile cause.

 

The quirky challenge was a reimagining of the original ‘Great Solo Run’, which took place in August 2011 and featured 150 club members who soloed a football, in relay, 115 miles from their home ground in Clanabogan all the way to Croke Park.

 

And indeed on Saturday, the challengers’ combined target was to reach 36,000 solos – the number it took to get from Clanabogan to Croke Park back in 2011. But such was the level of interest and number of people wanting to take part, that target was reached before the clock struck 11am!

 

By the end of the day, more than 120,000 solos had been submitted to the challenge – more than three times the original target. And indeed, the 100,000th solo was taken by Drumragh club president, Eugene Duffy, who celebrated his 83rd birthday last week.

 

Regular updates were posted on the club’s social media streams, generating a huge interest from far and wide, and prompting players from other clubs to get involved.

 

Paddy Roche, one of the event organisers, said that the event was a ‘phenomenal success’.

 

“We smashed all expectations, the numbers of solos continued to rise steadily all day, as did the donations,” he said.

 

“These donations came from members of our club and alos from further afield.

 

“We had participants from all corners of the globe taking part, including members in Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Canada and Australia, along with hundreds of members locally,” Paddy added.

 

” There is no doubt that this event brought the club together. It gave everyone a sense of pride and community even when we’re unable to physically meet and celebrate.

 

“The money raised will go a long way, and we want to thank every person who donated and every man, woman and child who participated. Without their involvement it would not have been possible.

 

Trocaire support the most vulnerable people in the developing world, while raising awareness of injustice and global poverty in Ireland.

 

 To donate to the charity, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/the-great-solo-rerun