By Shaun Casey

ULSTER and Down GAA legends, along with a few local icons, are coming together to spread awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and raise funds for Martin Lynch, who was diagnosed with MND earlier this year, with an event held in St John Bosco’s Newry on July 30.

Lynch played for Down and captained the u-21s to an Ulster title in 1984. He is a “well-known Newry sports fan,” according to Brian Irwin, one of the organisers of Legends4Lyncho.

“He played a lot of soccer at a time too, very successful there, also Newry Wheelers, he was involved in the cycling in later years. Marty started with Newry Michell’s in the ‘70s, they would have had a very successful u-16 and minor team, county champs.

“He played with the county at every level, minor right through. He played for the seniors for five years and captained the u-21 in 1984 to an Ulster Championship.

“He played soccer but then he came back, and he joined our own club Newry Bosco in the mid-to-late ‘80s and from there he would have played until the late ‘90s.

“He was very instrumental in winning the Intermediate Championship in ’96.

“He’s very well respected, a 100 per cent committed guy whether it be with the club or the county, he’d really be known for that. A good sports man and a hard player.

“He’s in an electric wheelchair now and the house has to be renovated to look after him so we’re trying to raise awareness around that.

“We have a member of our club Peter Devlin, who’s now living in Sligo, Peter was diagnosed two years ago as well.

“He would have been a very good player for us for many years and involved with committees and that. Donna Sloan (also diagnosed with MND), who would be a very well-known Mitchell’s Gael, dedicated to the club for many years.

“It’s to raise awareness around MND in general.”

While the idea of a game between the legends was mentioned, DJ Kane suggested that people may not be interested in watching “60-year-old men running round a field,” so instead there will be a penalty shootout and crossbar challenge.

“We have the four local clubs, Newry Shamrock’s, Mitchell’s, Newry Bosco’s and Ballyholland, each of the four are putting in a team of players who would have played with or against Marty.

“We’ve got a Down legends team, we have an Ulster All-Star team, we’re trying to put together the u-21 team that Marty captained and then Marty’s putting in a team, ‘Lyncho’s Lads’, he has a couple of sons and nephews. That’s eight teams so there’ll be a quarter-final, semi-final and a final.”

Some big names will be in attendance. Greg Blaney, Gregory McCartan, Neil Collins, Michaela Downey, Mickey Linden and Kane will represent Down while the likes of Sean Cavanagh, Oisin McConville, Steven McDonnell, Marty Clarke and Benny Tierney will also be involved along with Frank Mitchell.

“It’s a mix of local Newry Gaels and as the GAA community always do, they’re getting behind it and supporting it which is great.”