Two Road Bowls clubs in Co Armagh are coming together this weekend for a unique challenge to raise funds for Frankie McGinley, a three-year-old toddler who is battling cancer.
Frankie was diagnosed with leukemia in August of this year and is currently undergoing intensive treatment. It is expected that he’ll need chemotherapy for up to three and a half years.
Friends and family members have rallied around his parents Michelle and Chris in recent weeks with a series of fundraising events.
Read more: Co Armagh family's awareness bid as toddler battles cancer
Michelle’s family have a long-standing association with the traditional Irish sport of Road Bowling and, this Sunday, the Navan club will host Tullysaran for ‘A Day for Frankie’ with all proceeds going towards the family.
The tight and tricky Navan course (Navan Fort Road), on the outskirts of Armagh City, is the setting for a fantastic day of bowling which will see the two clubs face off in a series of six challenge scores.
The scores will pass along the family home while Michelle’s father and Frankie’s grandfather Anthony will be representing the Tullysaran club in the closing match of the day.
The action gets under way at 10.15am sharp with Pearse and Daniel Donnelly (Tullysaran) taking on Navan duo Gareth Grimley and Anthony Gordon.
Back down the road, the husband and wife pair of Padraig and Orlaith Mallon (Tullysaran) challenge All-Ireland U16 champion Lily O’Rourke and Ryan Quigley.
The home club have another of their All-Ireland winners in action in the third score as Junior B champion Aaron Hughes pairs up with his brother Eoin to take on Mick O’Neill and Niall Mullen in what could be the pick of the scores.
The afternoon also sees Brian O’Rourke and Mickey Hannaway (Navan) take on John Kernan and Cormac Conlon (Tullysaran) with Austin McKeown and Mark O’Rourke (Navan) facing Stevie O’Neill and Marty Mullan in the penultimate contest.
The day closes with Anthony Rooney and Mark McSorley (Tullysaran) against John Quigley and Liam Kearney (Navan).
To facilitate all six scores going off on time, parking is available at the Navan Quarry while refreshments will be available throughout the day.
There will also be raffle prizes and anyone who wants to donate can do so via the charity buckets on the day or by clicking this link to donate to Frankie’s fundraiser.
‘A Day for Frankie’ - Navan vs Tullysaran
10.15am: Gareth Grimley & Anthony Gordon (Navan) vs Pearse Donnelly and Daniel Donnelly (Tullysaran) (Main sponsor Red Neds Bar)
11am: Ryan Quigley & Lily O’Rouke (Navan) vs Padraig Mallon and Orlaith Mallon (Tullysaran) (Main sponsor Longnancy’s Bar and Lounge)
11.45am: Aaron Hughes and Eoin Hughes (Navan) vs Mick O’Neill and Niall Mullan (Tullysaran) (Main sponsor McKenna’s Bar Armagh)
12.30pm: Brian O’Rouke & Micky Hannaway (Navan) vs John Kernan & Cormac Conlon (Tullysaran) (Main sponsor Keegan’s Bar Armagh)
1.15pm: Austin McKeown & Mark O’Rouke (Navan) vs Stevie O’Neill & Martin Mullan (Tullysaran) (Main sponsor The Bottle of Benburb)
2pm: John Quigley & Liam Kearney (Navan) vs Anthony Rooney & Mark McSorley (Tullysaran) (Main sponsor Devlin’s Bar Armagh)
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