Offaly go on GOAL rush to aid Haiti relief work

THE Offaly senior footballers are undertaking a charity relay run between Edenderry and Tullamore on May 15 to raise funds for GOAL’s work in Haiti.

The squad, who are in Leinster SFC action a week later against Meath, are hopeful of a good response to their efforts.

Spokesman Scott Brady said: “This is a team effort so we are all starting together and once we get out on the road we will put two or three of the lads out front to run, while the rest of us will travel behind, collecting money and taking turns to jog a few miles here and there. When we are about a mile or two out from Tullamore, we will join together again and cross the line as a group. This is all about helping GOAL in Haiti and hopefully we can do our bit.”

The event takes on added significance in that former Offaly All-Ireland-winning hurler, Darren Hanniffy, has been heading GOAL’s relief operations in Haiti since the aid organisation arrived there in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake earlier this year..

Hanniffy said: “I’d like to thank the Offaly football lads and wish them all the best with the run.

“The challenges are significant here in Haiti and we are busy distributing vital shelter materials to the 1.3 million people left homeless by the earthquake.

“We have distributed food aidto almost half a million people since arriving in Haiti and we are planning to build 6,000 shelters ahead of the rainy season and provide water and sanitation to those most in need.”

Meanwhile, GAA chiefs yesterday urged supporters to purchase tickets for tomorrow’s Allianz NHL finals online.

Croke Park bosses say that demand for stand tickets is ‘high’ and have advised fans to buy their tickets online at www.gaa.ie/tickets until 9am tomorrow morning.