Dubs going to the dogs! Players Holiday Fundraiser

Tue, 20th October 2015

‘The Dubs at the Dogs’ event will take place on Friday November 20

Celebration with Sam Maguire trophy as 2015 All-Ireland champions, Leinster, National Football League and O’Byrne Cup champions

Funds raised on the night to support the Players Holiday Fund

Dublin fans will have a chance to meet and greet their All-Ireland SFC heroes next month. The Friends of Dublin Football are holding a night of celebration with the All-Ireland winning Dublin squad at Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium on Friday, November 20.

Jim Gavin said: "It's really a celebration with our great supporters who can come and meet our players, the whole team will be there and meet Sam Maguire, the Leinster Cup, the NFL Cup and the O'Byrne Cup and get some photographs with the players. It'll be a great night of entertainment at Shelbourne Park at the Races."

Jim explained that reason behind the night: "It's a fundraising event for the player's holiday which will take place in early December, their off-season. We're going to try and bring them away as close to the equator as we can get to get some sunshine on those bones that have been working really hard during the year."

On the night, there will be plenty for fans, including spot prizes and Gavin adds: "everyone will be there, the whole squad, management team, backroom team. It'll be a night of celebration. With the GAA we've obviously played in a lot of big games during the season but most of the money that is made on the gate receipts goes back into the clubs, 80 per cent of it, so we need to do our own part to raise some funds."

Gavin says for him, the players and the management team it's great to give something back for all the support they've received this year:

"I remember in those dark winter nights when we were licking our wounds and the encouragement that we got from our fans was superb. That really manifested itself this year. There was a certain bond this year that we had gone through the pain of last year and we were in this together.

"I have vivid memories of both semi-final games (against Mayo) this year and the crowd really getting behind the boys and pushing them home. It counts for a lot and players reference it a lot before and after games. We're very lucky in Dublin to have great supporters, the best supporters in the country and we're very grateful for it."

Tickets are €20 each and are available on www.gogreyhoundracing.ie. Corporate packages are also available, contact fodf@outlook.ie for details.

Tickets can now be bought at the gate on Friday night. Gates open from 5.45pm. 1st race 7.45!