DUE to the demand for tickets, Longstone GAC’s ‘A Ninety One to remember’ chat show on Friday, July 12 has had to be moved from the clubhouse to the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle.
The line-up for the evening includes Down legends James McCartan, Liam Austin and Paddy O’Rourke and their former Meath opponents Gerry McEntee and Mick Lyons. Compere for the evening is UTV’s Frank Mitchell.
The following day, Saturday, July 13, Longstone will host The Ambrose Rogers Memorial Sevens tournament which will include teams from Armagh’s Crossmaglen, Antrim’s St Gall’s and Dublin’s Kilmacud Croke’s.
In the clubhouse afterwards, patrons can enjoy an evening of music and dancing beginning with the Phillips Sisters, then an exhibition from Murtagh School of Irish Dancing. Dessie Magee, Ambrose senior’s nephew will headline the night, followed by DJ Magiggs. All proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the Cormac Trust and the Chest, Heart and Stroke charity and entry to the Sevens is £5 at the gate and will include a wristband for access to the entertainment that evening.
Ambrose junior, who followed in his father’s footsteps by starring for Longstone and Down, is looking forward to hearing tales from the legendary clashes between the Mournemen and the Royals from the 1990s.
“It’ll be a great night, we’ll be remembering daddy when he played and then we’ll have a bit of craic afterwards,” he said.
“I’m sure we’ll hear stories we’ve never heard before and I think it will be an enjoyable evening. Hopefully it will bring people together and we’ll have a bit of fun.”
Ambrose senior’s daughter Kirstie Smyth has been at the forefront of the organising committee for the weekend and has been overwhelmed by the interest in the event. All 400 tickets for the club were snapped up so quickly that the chat show had to be relocated to a larger venue – more tickets are now available.
“As a family, we would like to thank our sponsors for their very kind donations,” she said.
“Ticket sales have exceeded our expectations, so we’re delighted that people have the interest in coming and supporting us and the biggest thing for us is that it’s all for charity.
“We were delighted to work with Trisha, from I Am Digital Group, who gave us fantastic support and we hope to raise as much as possible in memory of daddy.
“We’re delighted with the line-up and thanks to everyone for their support for our special charity weekend. We’re also having a grand draw with some amazing prizes.”
For tickets, contact Kirstie on 07871528946.
