The brothers of Natalie McNally are preparing to walk almost 100 miles from Craigavon to Croke Park in time for Armagh’s first All-Ireland final in more than 20 years.
Niall and Declan McNally have been actively raising money for Women’s Aid since their sister Natalie was killed in her Lurgan home in December 2022.
The pair will also be raising funds for young GAA star Caolan Finnegan.
Stephen McCullagh has been charged with murder and a trial has been set for September 9.
Niall and Declan will embark on their 90 mile journey over five days leaving on Wednesday from Craigavon lake and arriving at Croke Park in time for throw in.
Speaking to The Irish News, Niall explained: “Me and my brother Declan are big Armagh supporters, we’re season ticket holders and have been travelling to all the games all year around.
“When they made it through to the final I thought why don’t we ditch the car and walk to the game and make a fundraiser out of it.
“Our family have been fundraising for Women’s Aid since Natalie’s passing so we decided to keep that going. It’s been a tough 18 months but the charity have been so supportive.
“They’ve obviously had a lot of cuts to their funding and we want return that support they’ve shown us so they can continue to help victims of domestic abuse.”
He added that they will be tying in with the Care for Caolan fund as well.
They say us Armagh ones are mad 🟠⚪️
— Niall McNally (@IrishBlue1878) July 16, 2024
So me & My Brother Declan will be walking from Craigavon to Croke Park in time for the final
We are raising money for @WomensAidAD and the #CareForCaolan Fund.
You can follow our journey on the links below
Please share & donate if you can pic.twitter.com/OpbGUsDOPQ
Caolan also known as ‘stringer’ and who is a key member of the Crossmaglen Rangers senior team, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer in August last year.
The 20 year old had surgery to remove a tumour just days after lining out for Crossmaglen against Clan na Gael in the Armagh senior championship.
He has been receiving treatment for his condition in Germany and is due to return there for another round of specialist treatment.
In March, his friends and family set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs, and although more than £281,000 has been raised, it falls short of the £310,000 which is needed.
“Caolan Finnegan from Crossmaglen is currently in a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer and will require a lot of funding to help get the treatment he needs,” Niall added.
“It’s been amazing to see how much the Armagh GAA community has got behind this cause we wanted to do our part too, so we will be splitting funds raised with this fundraising effort.”
Meanwhile, Tigger returned to Camlough this week to help raise funds for Caolan.
Damian McCullough first donned his suit when Armagh last played in the finals in 2003.
He told The Irish News: “Tigger is back, but he’s back to raise some money for the Care for Caolan fund and Sr Consilio’s addiction charity in Newry.
“All Ireland fever hit Camlough on Tuesday evening as Armagh supporters threw on their colours to paint the town orange. It’s fair to say I came under pressure to get into my orange Tigger suit, but it was all for a worthwhile cause to help raise some vital funds.
“There is a real community effort to support Caolan and his family and I just wanted to do my bit and help where I could.
“Our page already has £900 and a further £400-£500 was collected at Tuesday’s fundraiser.”
You can donate to the Craigavon to Croker fundraiser by clicking here
