Sporting Memories event to 'help those who cannot remember'

Some Donegal GAA icons will feature as part of a Sporting Memories event designed at tackling dementia, depression and loneliness.

'Sporting Memories' is a collaboration between the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Donegal GAA's Health and Well-being committee and takes place in the Mount Errigal in Letterkenny on Saturday, June 24 from 2-4pm.

Brian McEniff, Donegal's legendary manager who guided the county to a first Sam Maguire in 1992, will be a part of the panel.

Anthony Molloy, captain of that fabled Donegal side in '92, and Declan Bonner, the flame-haired forward whose magical late point remains one of the county's treasured memories and who later had two spells as Donegal manager, will be present.

Donegal senior ladies player Emer Gallagher, who has become a regular GAA analyst on TG4, will also feature.

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Some other great GAA players from yesteryear will be in attendance to show their support and reminisce about great GAA sporting days.

There will be displays of match programmes, photographs, jerseys, and other memorabilia to help trigger memories of GAA events and matches from the past.

Sporting Memories is an awareness and support programme involving remembering and talking about sports to help improve health and well-being, especially of people living with Dementia.

This programme aims to tackle Dementia, depression, and loneliness through safe, friendly sessions, led by people with a passion for sport and a desire to help people with Dementia and their Family Carers remain engaged in their communities.

The ASI encourages people of all ages, including those living with Dementia, to attend and reminisce about some of the county’s greatest sporting moments. Almost 2,500 people are living with Dementia in Donegal.

Chairperson of the Donegal GAA Health and Well-being committee, Cora Harvey, said: “We are delighted to partner with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland in hosting Sporting Memories.

“From the word go, the committee embraced this concept and values those in our communities who are ageing, and or living with Dementia.

“We hope that by leading the initial event as a county event that clubs in Donegal will host their own sporting memories within their own communities using our template.

“It is important that we remember and, more important, that we help those who cannot remember. I encourage you to come along and think about a neighbour or friend that you could bring along and might benefit from this event,”

National Community Engagement Manager at the ASI, Cathryn O’Leary, said:

“Sport plays a big part in the lives of so many people. Whether a person played a sport in their youth or later life, was a member of a local club, or watched and listened to matches and games, sport creates a sense of identity and a set of memories that can last a lifetime,

“We encourage as many as possible, especially those living with dementia and their families, to come along and enjoy this opportunity to relive the great GAA moments from the past, to meet former stars and to enjoy being part of the GAA community once again,”

The ASI Staff will provide information about support and services available to people living with Dementia, their Carers and family.

Please contact Charlie McGinley, (087-1887932) charlie.mcginley@alzheimer.ie, Cathryn O’Leary (085-8566478) cathryn.oleary@alzheimer.ie), Kevin Mills (087-2170806) kevinmillsj@gmail.com or Cora Harvey at chair.hwc.donegal@gaa.ie for more information.

Key stakeholders in this project include Donegal GAA Health & Wellbeing Committee Donegal County Council, The HSE CHO1, Donegal Sports Partnership, Slainte Care Donegal, members of the Donegal Dementia Stream, Community Health Nurses, and the extended ASI service team in Donegal.