Bumper crowd set to attend 'brilliant' Longford GAA Raceday for top racing and atmosphere
On Monday organising Chair Martin Skelly said almost 1000 people were set to support event
There is lots of anticipation ahead of what is expected to be a 'brilliant' Longford GAA Raceday in Punchestown on Wednesday, one of the most anticipated days in the social calendar and one of the biggest days in the Irish racing calendar.
The fundraiser, first held in 2003, has been an enormous draw for racing enthusiasts, GAA supporters and fashionistas alike and there is huge demand for tickets for the 22nd running of the hugely popular event.
Crowds of over 1,000 people have been a regular occurrence at the prestigious event which has raised almost €2,000,000 for Longford GAA since its inception.
Chairperson of the Raceday Organising Committee, Martin Skelly said on Monday night preparations were going very positively and he was confident of another fantastic day.
"There is almost 1,000 people coming out from all over to support Longford GAA for their annual fundraiser.
"We have a sell-out crowd and there has been huge demand.
"The weather is fine and everything looks to be going to plan.
"All roads lead to Punchestown and we are hoping for a brilliant day."
This year will see the return of Chazey Properties Ltd. as the main sponsors of the event for a second year running and Martin said they are delighted to have Lanesboro based Steve and Marie Peters and their company as partners once again.
"They are a local company, and there is a strong GAA ethos within the family, both the Peters and Marie is of the O'Sullivan clan from Rathcline in Lanesboro.
"They are steeped in the GAA and they actually have a son Bryn, a Rathcline stalwart, was on the county panel last year."
Martin said one of the highlights of the eagerly-awaited race day is always the fact that it is such a wonderful opportunity for Longford people to travel from home and abroad to meet up.
He stated the MC for the afternoon will be the hugely-popular Marty Morrissey of RTÉ once again and they have Johnny Ward from Newstalk who will be the tipster for the day.
Martin said one of the highlights of the event will be the Padraig & Marie Brady sponsored Best Dressed Lady and Gent, which will be judged by well-known TV stylist, Marietta Doran.
There will also be a bumper raffle with great prizes such as All Ireland Final packages with tickets and five star hotel stay.
Martin said there will be lots of style, colour and a fantastic atmosphere.
"On the racing front, the highlight of the day is the Punchestown Gold Cup, which is one of the highlights on the National Hunt calendar in Irish racing.
"And the winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Gaelic Warrior, is obviously the favourite on the day and apart from the style and everything that will be on offer, the racing is really top range."
There will be live music from Declan Nerney and his Band from the last race until 10pm.
Longford GAA Chairman, Derek Fahy said, “The event has been a staple of the GAA calendar here in Longford and has made a huge contribution to the development of Gaelic Games in the county."