On Thursday 12th April Ulster University Students will be staging ‘The Road to Clones’, an exciting event in aid of Cancer Fund for Children discussing the upcoming Ulster GAA Football Championship in the Elk Bar & Complex, Toomebridge. 

The 2018 Ulster Championship ‘Road to Clones’ will begin at the Elk as a range of past and present players, Managers, Columnists, and Television & Radio pundits throughout Ulster provide their opinions on the upcoming Championship fixtures and their general thoughts on all things GAA. 

Announcing details of this fascinating event, Ulster University students, said:

“We are looking forward to staging this Championship preview evening as part of our Leisure and Events Management degree. We are delighted that many top GAA stars have come on board such as the Down GAA Clarke brothers of John and Marty, Derry and Slaughtneil Dual star Chrissy McKaigue, Carlow assistant manager Steven Poacher and former Antrim great Kevin Madden and there is still a few more big names still to be revealed! It is also fantastic that both the Sam Maguire and Anglo-Celt cups will be in attendance for some special photo opportunities.”

“It’s a great line-up of football experts, that everyone from the GAA world will be curious to hear their views on the approaching championship season. The response on social media has been absolutely fantastic and it promises to be a great night for everyone to enjoy the official start to ‘The Road to Clones!’

Q-Radio sports presenter and former Down GAA stalwart John Clarke, who will act as compere on the evening, said: 

“I am really looking forward to compering at the Road to Clones GAA chat night on 12th April in the Elk. It promises to be a night full of GAA chat and banter with expert opinions from across Ulster GAA. We fill find out if anyone can Stop Tyrone in Ulster and who are the dark horses. We will also reflect on classic Ulster Championship games from years gone by and no doubt there will be plenty of banter from the panelists on the night. It really is a must see and it’s all in aid of a great cause too.”

Sponsor of the Road to Clones event, Brendan Crawford, from 3D Contracts NI ltd, commented:

“We at 3D Contracts were delighted when we got asked to sponsor this fantastic event. The students have done extremely well to get such high profile GAA players involved and this is sure to make it a great night. And with all funds going to the very worthy cause of Cancer Fund for Children NI, I’m sure Gaels from all across Ulster will want to come along!”

Suzanne O’Loughlin, North West Fundraiser for Cancer Fund for Children added:

“I am delighted Cancer Fund for Children has been chosen as the charity for the Road to Clones event. All proceeds will be helping to support local families that have been affected by cancer. We provide emotional and financial support to families as well as offering therapeutic short breaks during what is often a difficult time. We receive less than 1% government funding each year so support from events such as The Road to Clones is vital in allowing us to continue supporting these families. There are some amazing panelists lined up, fantastic raffle prizes and I’ll finally get to lift the Sam Maguire Cup! Come along for a great night of sport and entertainment.”

There will also be a fundraising raffle in aid of Cancer Fund for Children conducted on the evening with some fantastic prizes up for grabs including a signed county jersey, a pair of All-Ireland semi-final tickets, £100 Galgorm Resort and Spa voucher, a gift voucher for O’Neil’s Sportswear plus many, many more!

Tickets, which are limited, are on sale now and can be sourced online at www.roadtoclones.yapsody.com or in person at the Elk reception. Doors open at 7.00pm with a 7.30pm start with light refreshments provided.

For full details and further announcements on the Road to Clones, please visit our Facebook and Twitter pages.