The legends of Manchester United and Liverpool may have trotted out onto the pitch at Finn Park over the past few years but a much more exciting prospect is in store next month when members of Donegal’s own legendary 1992 all-Ireland winning team, take to the pitch against a Finn Harps select.
Organised as one of the many events taking place across the county for Active Donegal Month 2012, the charity game on June 27th will see the 1992 heroes back playing in Ballybofey – but in unfamiliar surroundings – twenty years after that historic Croke Park win.
But not all of the 1992 heroes will be strangers to that Ballybofey pitch across the road from MacCumhaill Park – including one of the match organisers, Declan Bonner, who donned both the Donegal and Finn Harps shirts many times.
And, he suggested the game will give the Donegal players a perfect opportunity to shake off the cobwebs in the run up to the 20th anniversary of that famous victory over Dublin in September 1992.
“There will probably be other things lined up later in the summer to mark the 20th anniversary of our all-Ireland win, but we’re delighted to promote Active Donegal month by pulling on the boots for a game like this,” he said.
Indeed Declan expects most of the 1992 side to be present on the night of the game, even if not everyone will be able to take part.
“We’ll try to get as many of the boys on as we can, but we’ll be keeping the line-up close to our chest for now until we see how the fitness testing goes!” Harps meanwhile will draw from a number of players who played for the club throughout the 90s and are expected to include a number who featured in their 1999 cup final squad.
Managed by current assistant boss Sean ‘Wizard’ McGowan, they’ll be hoping that home advantage will give them the edge but they’ll be wanting a strong referee as well to ensure there are no Thierry Henry moments in front of goal!
More details of the line-ups and the chosen charities for the event will be outlined later but for now make sure you pencil in June 27th at 7.30 to your diary for a great night of entertainment is guaranteed.
