Full details of the ‘Match for Michaela’ event

Ulster GAA in partnership with the Michaela Foundation has announced plans for a major fundraising event to remember the life of Michaela McAreavey and her contribution to the GAA community.
Donegal GAA have given their full backing to this event and have announced that this will be the first competitive game for Donegal since lifting the Sam Maguire.
Donegal fans are snapping up tickets fast, to secure the chance to see their heroes take on the best of Ulster.  This will be a magically night, which is the perfect opportunity for Ulster to salute  Donegal and welcome the All Ireland Champions and Sam Maguire back to the Province.
It’s going to be a family night out, and provides many Donegal supporters who were unable to get tickets for the All Ireland the opportunity to see their heroes play live.
The event branded as ‘Match for Michaela – a festival with football’ will take place on Saturday 3rd November 2012 from 6pm to 10pm in the grounds of Casement Park, in Belfast. It will be compered by one of Ireland’s greatest DJs/Comics – Hector Ó hEochagáin
The festival is expected to attract thousands of people from across the island of Ireland. All money raised will go to the Michaela Foundation.
The highlight on the special evening is sure to be a not-to-be-missed competitive Gaelic Football Match which will see Ulster and All-Ireland Champions Donegal take on Ulster’s finest players, the current Interprovincial Champions.
This will be an opportunity for the people of Ulster and Ireland to see the All Ireland Champions being put to the test by their friends in Ulster.
It will also see a first managerial show-down between two All Ireland Winning Managers from a decade apart, Armagh’s Joe Kernan (in charge of Ulster – with some support from the current Tyrone Manager and three time All Ireland winner Mickey Harte) and Donegal’s Jimmy McGuinness. Can Jimmy win this match?
This will also be a real opportunity for Ulster Gaels to welcome home Donegal with Sam Maguire.
The Festival with Football, will also include a wide range of exciting thrills to keep the spectators entertained.  There really will be something for the whole family with performances from Ulster’s X Factor star Janet Devlin, and the very lively More Power to your Elbow.
There will also be some surprises along the way, which will have the crowd in Casement Park going wild.
Traditional Irish Music will also feature with a specially commissioned ‘Railway Band’ performing made of singers and musicians from across Ulster’s nine counties.  Little Stars Academy in Armagh will also feature in a very special performance as well as music from the volunteers from the Michaela Girls Camp and the famous Artane Band.
The Big Screen will be a big feature on the evening, with plenty of entertainment promised and the memory; values; and principles of Michaela kept very much alive.
Tickets are now on sale for this special one-off event from www.tickets.ie , from County Boards and GAA clubs and from participating Supervalu and Centra stores nationwide.  This is expected to be a sell-out festival and donations are also very welcome.  Tickets are priced at £10/€10 for adults and £5/€5 for children.
Ulster Manager and former Armagh All Ireland Manager Joe Kernan is calling on Donegal Gaels to support this important event, he said, “This is going to be a real competitive match.  Donegal are All Ireland Champions and every team in Ireland wants a chance at beating them.  I think this Ulster side will really put it up to Jimmy McGuinness’ team.
“I urge Gaels from across County Donegal to come out to this special event – to cheer on their victorious team and  to salute Jimmy McGuinness and Donegal for their fantastic All Ireland victory and of course to remember Michaela and to celebrate her life.”
Former Ulster GAA President Tom Daly is urging Donegal Gaels to turn out in their thousands for this special one-off event.  He said, “The whole of Ulster will be at this game and we want to see the stands full of Donegal supporters cheering on our All Ireland Champions.  I urge Gaels to buy their tickets early to avoid disappointment and to come kitted out in their Donegal colours – this is an opportunity for Donegal to show the rest of Ulster that we really have the best supporters!”
Donegal Player Declan Walsh has expressed his excitement at the match, he said, “This is going to be some match.  We will go up against Ulster finest.  Donegal have shown the whole of Ireland what we can do, now it’s time to show the rest of Ulster just why we won the All Ireland.
“It will be an honour to tog out for this match in the memory of Michaela McAreavey and I urge all our supporters to come with us for one last time this year to celebrate all that’s good in the GAA.”