'32-32-32' – 32 penalties in 32 counties and giving homelessness the boot

'We're asking every GAA Club in Ireland to donate €32 to the 32 penalties in 32 counties fund-raiser for the Simon Community'

HUGE IN CHARACTER if diminutive in stature, Barry McElduff MLA (above) will be doing his part to raise money for the Simon Community when he travels across Ireland later month, taking a penalty in a club in every county and sleeping on the streets each night he’s on the road.

Now Barry is asking supporters to get their GAA clubs behind the fund-raising drive.

The ‘32-32-32’ all-Ireland fund-raising campaign takes place between 24 and 28 July to raise money for the Simon Community, which works with those who have fallen on hard times.

Barry (who modestly describes himself as “the best corner-forward Tyrone never had”) is confident that he can put more than half of the penalties in the back of the net. Facing him between the posts, though, will be Plunkett ‘Oz’ McCann, who has won six O’Neill Cup medals and played in more club finals than any other player in Tyrone.

“We are asking every GAA Club in Ireland to donate €32, a small amount that, when added together, will make a massive difference,” Barry told An Phoblacht.

“There's a serious element to the event,” he adds, “because we’ll be sleeping outside on the streets each night we are on the road. So we're relying on the generosity of the GAA, something which is time honoured. We want champions in each county and we’re asking the readers of An Phoblacht to check with their local GAA club if they’ve donated to 32-32-32!”

You can find out more information, sponsor the team and where and when each of the penalties is being taken at: http://32-32-32.com