Friends of Darragh 7-a-side charity Mayo football tournament returns

THE Friends of Darragh 7-a-side football tournament will return on Saturday, May 31, at The Neale GAA grounds in Cong.

First held in 2015, the tournament has become a cherished community event and has raised approximately €10,000 to date for the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (KBRT).

All proceeds from the day go directly to the KBRT, a volunteer-run charity that provides vital financial and practical support to bereaved families bringing loved ones home to Ireland following sudden or tragic deaths abroad.

This year’s confirmed teams include:

The Neale

Shrule/Glencorrib

Ballinrobe

Claremorris

Mayo Gaels

Kilmaine

Davitts

Tuar Mhic Éadaigh

Hollymount/Carramore

Caherlistrane (Galway)

Clonbur (Galway)

Moorefield (Kildare)

O’Mahony’s (Meath)

All clubs in south Mayo are warmly invited to take part in what promises to be another exciting tournament.

Colin Bell, father of Kevin and co-founder of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, praised the tournament, saying: “Events like Friends of Darragh remind us of the extraordinary compassion and solidarity that exists within Irish communities. The funds raised have made a real difference to grieving families at the most devastating moments of their lives.

“We are deeply grateful to everyone involved in keeping Darragh’s memory alive with such a wonderful tournament while also supporting the mission of KBRT.”

The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust was established in memory of Kevin Bell, who tragically passed away in New York in 2013. In response to the overwhelming public support at the time, his family founded KBRT to ensure other families facing similar heartbreak could receive help when they need it most.