GAA AND ULSTER RUGBY COME TOGETHER
TO TACKLE MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
Ulster GAA and Ulster Rugby have combined
efforts in honour of former Antrim senior football
captain Anto Finnegan, who was diagnosed with
MND in 2012.
#GameForAnto will see 2013 All-Ireland
champions Dublin face an All-star Ulster select
team - managed by current Ulster boss Joe
Kernan and former Donegal manager Brian
McEniff - gather in support of Anto’s deterMND
Trust.
Anto, who featured in the Antrim senior team for
10 years, and captained the county to its first
All-Ireland success in 1999 (B Championship),
revealed in August 2013 that he was suffering
from MND, an announcement that was followed
by a groundswell of public support.
The 41-year-old father of two said: “I am humbled
by the gesture that Ulster GAA and Ulster
Rugby have made to support my cause to raise
awareness of Motor Neurone Disease; to make
this game happen at Kingspan Stadium.
“It will be an historic occasion for many
reasons and I am proud to be associated with
it. It is testament to the respective sporting
organisations, my friends and family, that this
historic match will take place at the amazing
venue that is home to Ulster Rugby.”
Support for the ‘Game For Anto’ has also come
from Stormont, and Sports Minister Carál Ní
Chuilín said: “I recall watching Anto play for
Antrim; he played with great passion in the saffron
jersey. He has applied the same passion in the
jersey he now wears, one that represents his
determination to make us aware of MND, and to
educate us about the disease.
“The challenge Anto has set for himself will leave
a positive legacy from this wonderful occasion on
November 15.”
A historic GAA match will take place at the home of Ulster Rugby
in just two weeks’ time, in an event which is aimed at raising the
awareness of Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Ulster Rugby Chief Executive Shane Logan said:
“When Ulster Rugby was approached with the
idea of having a GAA match played at Kingspan
Stadium with the aim of raising awareness of
Motor Neurone Disease, and to support Anto
Finnegan and the deterMND Trust, there was no
hesitation in our response.
“It is fitting, as we celebrate the opening of our
newly developed stadium that was once a GAA
pitch, that its surface will play host to such a
significant Gaelic football match and occasion.
“Kingspan Stadium is a wonderful venue for
everyone to experience and enjoy; and the ‘Game
for Anto’ will not only bring many new sports
fans to the home of Ulster Rugby, but will further
strengthen the great relationship Irish Rugby and
the GAA have built together.”
Dublin manager Jim Gavin, who led the county
to All-Ireland success in 2013, added: “We are
honored that Anto has invited Dublin to take part
in this game. My players were told of the invitation
and their rallying response was typical of that
so often displayed in the GAA when one of its
members calls for a helping hand.
“We are looking forward to arriving in Belfast on
November 15 to be part of this great cause, and to
support a great servant of the GAA.”
Tickets for the #GameForAnto are available
now to purchase online only via Ticketmaster.
Tickets range from £10 (adult) and £5 (child).
To purchase tickets please visit www.
ticketmaster.ie
For further ticket enquiries please contact:
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ULSTERRUGBY
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE AWARENESS
