The Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association (IPFBA ) will host its second annual golf classic at Galway Bay Golf Resort at Renville, Oranmore this Friday, September 12.
The IPFBA is an organisation which provides much needed support to retired professional footballers throughout Ireland. The organisation was launched in February 2024 and has been supporting former pros who have fallen into hard times ever since.
Campion Insurance, Merchant's Road, Galway is the main sponsor of the event for the second year in a row following the success of the inaugural golf classic in Limerick in 2024. Michael McLoughlin of Campion Insurance says that the company is "delighted to partner" with the IPFBA once more.
"The IPFBA is an important organisation which provides much needed support to retired professional footballers throughout Ireland. We wish them continued success in raising funds to meet the growing demand for their services," he added.
There are five patrons of the organisation namely Niall Quinn, John Giles, Liam Brady, Keith Treacy, and Eoin Hand. Quinn, the former Ireland, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Sunderland striker recently paid tribute to the work of the IPFBA at the golf classic launch event in Galway City Council recently. He believes that the organisation has radically altered the way that the Irish game can assist stars of the past who require its support.
He has also urged the entire Irish football scene to back the association that will commence payments to former male and female players later this year.
"The IPFBA’s fundraising success in the space of just 18 months is just phenomenal and you will see the benefits of this endeavour in the months and years ahead as retired players receive help to overcome challenges in their lives," said Quinn.
"I would appeal to all sections of Irish football to support this golf classic in Galway and the IPFBA’s other fundraising events by donating to a group that is committed to assisting these players who entertained us so richly over the years," added the former Irish international.
The launch event at Galway City Council was hosted by Mayor of Galway Mike Cubbard. He said he was thrilled that the golf classic will further enable former players to extend the hand of friendship and support to their peers.
"On behalf of Galway City Council and myself, I am both honoured and delighted to welcome the Irish Professional Footballers Benevolent Association to City Hall for the launch of its Golf Classic at Galway Bay Golf Resort on September 12," said Mayor Cubbard.
"There is already a vibrant group of former League of Ireland players, mainly drawn from Galway Rovers and Galway United, who meet up regularly for lunch and a chat. Now, this golf classic will help them and their colleagues across the country fund the IPFBA’s tremendous work."
IPFBA chairperson Harry McCue and secretary Martin Lawlor attended the launch with McCue paying tribute to the local organising committee.
"The work put in by the committee here in Galway has been fantastic and the profits from the golf classic in their entirety will go towards helping ex-players," said McCue.
"We will be auctioning and raffling five signed jerseys by Liam Brady, John Giles, Niall Quinn, the Ireland squad and the late Denis Law on the night at the prize-giving."
The prize-giving will take place at Monroe’s Tavern on the night of the classic on September 12.
The IPFBA’s second annual golf classic - sponsored by Campion Insurance - takes place at Galway Bay Golf Resort at Renville, Oranmore on Friday, September 12 thanks to the sterling work of former local League of Ireland stars Gerry Daly, Ronan Killeen, John Mannion, Mike O’Toole, Terry O’Regan and Mickey McLaughlin who have spent 12 months ensuring that the event is a major success.
