Ardara will be awash with GAA people from near and far this weekend for Pat’s All Star Weekend – in memory of former Donegal and Ardara Goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin.
Two years ago, Pat Shovelin passed away at the age of 41.
The highlight of the weekend will be the meeting of Pat Shovelin’s All Stars and the Donegal 2012 All Ireland winning this evening at 6.30 pm in Pearse Memorial Park.
Afterwards upstairs in the Clubhouse there will be a meet and greet with the Stars and a Championship preview/Question and Answer session hosted by MC Sean Perry.
The Clubhouse Bar facility will also be open and the night will end with a dance in the Nesbitt Arms Hotel from 11-1 pm with music by Tony and Seamus.
John McConnell of the Organising committee said this week: “We are looking forward to what we hope will be a very successful weekend to remember Pat Shovelin and pay tribute to the huge contribution he made to the GAA in Ardara and Donegal.
“We have a great line up of legends on both the All Star team and Donegal 2012 so we are hoping it will be an occasion that will live long in the memory.
“We are expecting a big crowd and we would ask those attending to co-operate with the stewards and use the Shuttle Bus system for parking which will be in operation at the top of the town.
“A one way system will be in operation from the town end towards the pitch for those who wish to use it. All proceeds from the weekend will go towards the Irish Cancer Society, Donegal Hospice and the Oncology Unit at Letterkenny General Hospital. Admission will be by donation only.”
A star studded all-star panel has been named to play the Donegal 2012 team with Malachy O’Rourke of Monaghan managing the team.
Captain of the All Stars will be Pat’s long-time friend Brendan Boyle from the Ardara club.
The weekend finishes off on Sunday with a Midwest Donegal Vintage Club tractor Run starting from the Clubhouse at 2pm.
The All Star panel
- Niall Morgan (Tyrone)
- Conor Mortimer (Mayo)
- Aaron Kernan (Armagh)
- Benny Coulter (Down)
- Adrian Sweeney (Donegal)
- Chrissy McKaigue (Derry)
- Daniel Hughes (Down)
- Dick Clerkin (Monaghan)
- Eamon O Hara (Sligo)
- Enda Muldoon (Derry)
- Joe McMahon (Tyrone)
- John Doyle (Kildare)
- Michael Hegarty (Donegal)
- Owen Mulligan (Tyrone)
- Oisin McConville (Armagh)
- Paddy Bradley (Derry)
- Paul Finlay (Monaghan)
- Sean Kavanagh (Tyrone)
- Finian Hanley (Galway)
- Steven McDonnell (Armagh)
- Brendan Boyle (Donegal)
- Barry Monaghan (Donegal)
- Raymond Sweeney (Donegal)
- Peter Harte (Tyrone)
