A race with a difference is due to take place at Galway Greyhound track next Friday when a tiger will take on an eagle!

But it will all be for a good cause when Eddie the Eagle, the Connacht rugby mascot, and Galway United's Terryland Tiger go head to head.

The race will take at half-time in the European Challenge Cup clash between Connacht and Newcastle Falcons.

Eddie the Eagle will be looking for revenge having had his feathers ruffled at Terryland Park earlier this year when the Terryland Tiger won a penalty shootout at half-time in the clash between Galway United and St Pat's.

Jonny Wilkinson and his star-studded Newcastle side ? which is set to include All-Black prop Carl Hayman for the first time ? will have to take a back seat as the two mascots race a length of the pitch.

The has been organised by Connacht rugby supporters and Galway United fans as a charity fundraiser for the Marie Levanzin-Coyle Memorial Fund, which directly supports local heart charity Croí, in it's ongoing fight against heart disease.

This inaugural Mascot Challenge is being jointly sponsored by O'Connell's Bar in Eyre Square ? home to the Connacht supporters club ? and Fox's Bar, Forster Street, which hosts the Galway United fans club.

The victorious mascot will receive a trophy, which will be showcased in the winning supporters' bar. Fans at the rugby match will be asked to contribute to a half-time collection.

Croí Chief Executive, Neil Johnson, said that the race promised to be an exciting affair and that outcome between the tiger and the eagle was too close to call.

"This is an exciting and fun event, which sees Galway United and Connacht rugby fans vie for mascot supremacy in a unique charity challenge.

"More importantly it will raise significant funds towards the fight against heart disease. We are deeply grateful to the mascots, management and supporters of both clubs for supporting Croí in this way," he said.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment