Mayo GAA launch charity partnership with Mayo Cancer Support Association
MAYO GAA has confirmed that Mayo Cancer Support Association is its charity partner for 2025.
The partnership was formally launched at the Connacht Senior Football Championship final between Mayo and Galway in Hastings Insurance MacHale Park, Castlebar, on Sunday.
The initiative will see Mayo Cancer Support Association (aka Rock Rose House) being the beneficiary of the annual star-studded charity match between the Mayo senior team and the Mayo GAA All-Star team later this year, with the latter being comprised of players selected by Mayo GAA and local media following the conclusion of the club championships at junior, intermediate and senior level.
In addition, Mayo GAA will also lend support to a very exciting, soon-to-be-launched new Mayo Cancer Support fundraising event that is sure to have significant appeal for the county’s GAA fans as well as the general public.
Established in 1999, Mayo Cancer Support is a registered charity that provides emotional support to local people who have been impacted by a cancer diagnosis or bereavement.
It does so through the delivery of a suite of free services, including professional one-to-one counselling, complementary therapies, group activities and children’s services at its Castlebar headquarters, Rock Rose House, and at outreach clinics in Ballina and Achill.
The charity is dependent on fundraising to cover up to 90% of its annual operating costs (approximately €230,000).
Joan Fitzgerald, who is chairperson of the Board of Directors of Mayo Cancer Support Association, said she was delighted that the organisation had been selected as the official charity partner of Mayo GAA for 2025.
Mayo GAA chairperson Seamus Tuohy commented: “We are delighted here at Mayo GAA to begin this partnership with the Mayo Cancer Support Association. This is a most deserving cause and something that unfortunately touches a huge portion of Irish society, including members of the GAA community and beyond.
“As a cause quite close to my own heart, we are delighted to be able to partner with this charity and support initiatives both through fundraising events and raising awareness about the disease.”
The charity’s manager, Orla Gillespie, added that the partnership will not only help to raise much-needed funds for the service, but will also increase awareness of Mayo Cancer Support and the vital supports it can provide free of charge to cancer patients/survivors and their loved ones.
Mayo GAA health and wellbeing officer Fran Downey, whose department supports the holistic health of members and the communities they serve, remarked: “The GAA prioritises the health and wellbeing of all its members, including addressing cancer awareness and support. We are delighted to collaborate with the Mayo Cancer Support Association in providing a platform which promotes everyday health by reaching people in existing spaces through our games and where they gather to promote healthy messages, create awareness and encourage community connectedness.”