Fairview Park to host All-Ireland Final family fun day on Saturday
Fairview Park will host an inclusive GAA Legends match on Saturday as part of the Heart of Movement Event.
By John Harrington
Former Mayo and Kerry footballers, both male and female, will participate in a special inclusive All-Ireland Final Legends match in Fairview Park on Saturday, July 25.
They’ll play alongside players from Na Gaeil Aeracha, the world’s first LGBTQ+ GAA club, and Na Gaeil Nua, one of the GAA’s newest affiliated clubs which caters for migrants and has around 40 different nationalities as members.
The Legends match is part of Dublin City Council’s ‘Heart of Movement’ event which highlights the energy, activity, and sporting spirit that runs through Dublin’s communities.
Hosted by former Dublin footballer, Michael Darragh MacAuley, the free event will also feature other GAA themed attractions such as the opportunity to see the Sam Maguire Cup in the Fan Zone, Poc Fada and Cic Fada competitions, and an All-Ireland Final discussion with past players hosted by Ciarán Murphy of Second Captains.
“There’s going to be loads of families making a weekend of the All-Ireland Final and we’d encourage anyone from Mayo and Kerry who are in Dublin for the weekend to come along,” MacAuley told GAA.ie
“The Legends match will be a fantastically inclusive game. It’ll be great for the Legends to play alongside the players from Na Gaeil Aeracha and Na Gaeil Nua, and likewise a fantastic opportunity for them to play with some of the best to ever play the game.
“Sam Maguire is going to be a busy man on Sunday so it’s good of him to clear his calendar and hang out with us on the Saturday and make the day that bit more of a special experience.
“Some people will definitely have a big interest in Ciarán Murphy’s All-Ireland Preview because we’ll have some past players who have been there and done that and it’ll be very interesting to hear their take on the match.
“We have loads of other things going on as well like Little Fitness for kids, An Táin Bó Yoga, sensory dance experiences, a circus, Morro 16 drumming, all sorts really.
“We’ll be giving away free county colours headbands and there will be lots of famous faces around the place that you might recognise, so it should be a great day for people of all ages.”
Former Dublin player Michael Darragh MacAuley arrives before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 1 match between Dublin and Louth at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
MacAuley will also host a talk entitled ‘More Than A Game: Sport Identity, and Belonging’ on the day.
“I’ll be chatting to people from Na Gaeil Aeracha, Na Gaeil Nua, and Sports Against Racism Ireland,” says MacAuley.
“It’ll be on the power of sport and inclusivity how how sport has helped shape their journey in Ireland. I actually think it’s going to be a really unique conversation so we’re really looking forward to that as well.”
The Heart of Movement Event in Fairview Park on Saturday is part of Dublin City Council’s We Love July Series. For more information, go here - https://dublin.ie/whats-on/listings/we-love-july/