Donegal’s All-Ireland winning captains Anthony Molloy and Michael Murphy have thrown their weight behind ‘A Night with Donegal GAA Greats’, which was launched today.
The banquet, to raise money for the Donegal GAA Training Fund, will take place on February 15, 2019 at the Mount Errigal Hotel, Letterkenny.
Group pictured at today’s launch of the Night with Donegal GAA Greats. Picture by Geraldine Diver
The Donegal GAA Training Fund Committee have recruited former Sunday Game editor Paul Byrnes from Galway, who is now working in event management, to aid in the running of the night.
Legendary former Donegal manager Brian McEniff will be honoured on the night of the banquet. The Bundoran man led Donegal to their first five Ulster Championship wins and was the county’s first ever GAA All-Star in 1972.
“I want to be part of it and I feel I have something still to offer the cause in Donegal,” 1992 captain Molloy said.
“We’ve had a fantastic 2018.
“ We’re in a great, healthy place. We have to move on and keep pushing on. It does take money. At one time, success brought money, but now you need money for success.”
Murphy, who skippered Donegal to the Sam Maguire in 2012, echoed the sentiments.
“I do believe we have the raw materials in the county and I know we have the raw materials,” he said.
“It requires finance and everyone on the one wavelength. Bringing it all together and pushing it in the one way takes a lot of effort.
“We’re as ambitious as the Dublin, Tyrone, Mayo and Kerrys.
“We’re trying to show ambition. Things like this show the ambition from the county board side and that can only stem onto the pitch and onto the teams.”
Donegal manager Declan Bonner was in attendance at the launch and said it was his aim to take the county ‘to the next level’.
“It does take an awful lot of money,” Bonner said.
“It’s important that the senior team is successful and we want to be at that top table. To compete with the top teams there is a lot of expenditure. That is our aim for 2019.
“We have a group buying in.
“The guys work six days a week and put a lot of time and energy into this for the one goal – to make Donegal football successful.
“Donegal football is in a good place, but we need to take it to the next level.”
Tables of ten for the banquet are priced at €1,000.
Tickets can be purchased in any number, priced at €100 a ticket.
“It’ll be a full show with a drinks reception and then a show of music, comedy and lots of ex-greats and current footballers,” Byrnes said.
“It will be a busy show and we’re really looking forward to it.”
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