Irish celebrities and sporting legends to take part in charity match for Chernobyl Children International in Cork

Fancy taking in some eh, ‘top-class’ football played by a handful of Irish celebrities and supporting a good cause? Then get yourself to Bishopstown for what should be a fun-filled event next Sunday.

In an effort to raise some much needed funds for Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International, a number of Irish celebrities and sporting legends will be togging out for a charity soccer match in Curraheen Stadium in Bishopstown on Sunday October 13. Sporting heroes such as Anthony Nash and Michael Fennelly will swap a hurley for a soccer ball on the day and will be joined by Munster rugby legends Mick O’Driscoll and Anthony “Alex” Foley, TV personalities Brian Ormond and Gerald Keane and the smoothest presenter of them all, Marty Morrissey, for a clash against on a local soccer team from a well-known Cork company, Abtran. JOE.ie founder Niall McGarry will also be part of the line-up and although he is currently listed on the bench, Niall tells us that his deadly eye for goal (and absolute refusal to cross the halfway line into his own half) will be required from an early stage. The event is being masterminded by Eric Higgins, who is a member of the Abtran soccer team and recently spent a week working with the children of Vesnova Children’s Mental Asylum in Belarus. Vesnova is situated 175 kilometres from Chernobyl the scene of the world’s worst nuclear accident which caused thousands of deaths and forced more than half a million people to flee from their homes in 1986. Money raised from this event will go to Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International, a charity founded 27 years ago in the aftermath of the disaster to help alleviate the suffering of children and families living in the Chernobyl regions. Commenting on the event, Adi Roche said: “To see these amazing celebrities and sports legends come together to raise money for the children we serve is overwhelming. “Cork people need a pick-me-up event and to see your favourite celebrity kick a football around your local pitch is just the tonic we need! We cannot thank Eric, Cork City Football Club, the celebrities, Abtran and all involved enough for organising this event in aid of our charity”. The charity match takes place in Curraheen Stadium, Bishopstown, Cork on Sunday 13 October. Kick-off is at 3pm and tickets cost €5 at the gate. You can also donate through the campaign's 'Text to Donate initiative' by taking the following steps.  •             Text CHERNOBYL to 50300 to donate €2 today •             100% of your €2 donation will go to Adi Roche’s Chernobyl Children International •             If you would prefer not to be contacted by CCI in the future, text STOP to 50300. LikeCharity 01 433890. For more information, check out the event's Facebook page here.