DERRY GAA: Sean Dolan's rises from the ashes with weekend of celebration

Committee members, players and the wider GAA community in Creggan and across the city and county are preparing a full weekend of activities and celebrations which begin on Friday, September 30th and run to Sunday, October 2nd.

The community marquee will be the setting for much of the celebrations with community events, Gaelic Games, family Funday and social events all part of the packed programme!

“We wanted to mark this brilliant achievement for our club, its members, Gaelic games and the entire community in Creggan in a way that is positive and welcoming to all,” a club spokesperson said.

“So we have organised a number of Community, Social and Sporting events to celebrate the relaunch of our pitch and clubhouse.” On Friday night in the community Marquee - ‘Family Fortunes’ will see a number of local families competing in a light hearted games show for spot prizes hosted by local Entertainer Mickey Doherty. It will be followed by DJ Caolán McGinley with music from the 70s 80s and 90s.”

And that is only the beginning. On Saturday at 10.30am young GAA teams from across Derry will take part in a community parade from the Creggan Shops to Sean Dolan’s club grounds where Ulster and Derry GAA official will join politicians and club members to officially open the Clubhouse and pitch.

The official opening will be followed by a day of Gaelic sports with local clubs from across the city competing for fun (and pride) on the pitch.

The club will also show the All Ireland Football Final replay on a big screen in the Marguee on Saturday afternoon at 5.00pm.

“Saturday evening is the Sean Dolans Appreciation night,” continued the spokesperson, “We are paying tribute to players and members for their commitment to the club. This will be followed with music by the excellent 10-piece showband, ‘The Soul Seekers’.

“All members of the community are welcome at this event, but we are especially appealing to past players, past members and the Derry Gaelic fraternity to come along and support the club on Saturday night.”

The celebrations continue into Sunday with a planned community ‘fun day’ beginning at 1.00pm. The Sean Dolans site will host the very popular Kids farm petting farm, bouncy castles while SureStart, Edenballymore will put on activities in the Marquee for the younger generations.

“The weekend of celebrations will conclude with an Irish Folk night with popular Glasgow based band, Glasnevin. The doors open at 8.00pm and all our events are open to the wider community. We hope to see a fun packed, well attended events throughout the whole weekend.”