A gala match between all-Ireland football champions Donegal and an Ulster selection has been organised in memory of Michaela McAreavey.
The Match For Michaela event – which will also feature live music, dancing and other entertainment – will take place at Belfast’s Casement Park on the evening of November 2nd, and will be compered by DJ Hector Ó hEochagáin.
All money from ticket sales will go to the Michaela Foundation, a charity set up in memory of the 27-year-old schoolteacher, who was murdered on honeymoon in Mauritius in January 2011. She was the daughter of Tyrone GAA manager Mickey Harte and the wife of Down player John McAreavey. Earlier this year, two hotel workers were acquitted of her murder.
The Michaela Foundation funds a bursary scheme for university students and a summer camp for girls aged 11-13. It focuses on five principles said to be important to Michaela: faith, fun, fashion, well-being and the Irish language.
At the Belfast launch yesterday, Ulster GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “Michaela McAreavey was first and foremost a Gael – she loved Gaelic games and loved the Irish language and culture. We have all been enriched to have her part of our association and our community and this event, we hope, will remember the life, heart and soul of a beautiful young woman.”
John McAreavey said he was “very excited” by the development. “The proceeds from this major event will go directly into our fund for the Michaela Centre, which will be located in Tyrone and act as a hub for all our future activities,” he said.
Mickey Harte said the GAA had been “so supportive of us all”.
Tickets, priced at €10 for adults and €5 for children, are available from GAA clubs, county boards and participating Supervalu and Centra shops or from www.tickets.ie