St Mary's start fundraising campaign for a new astro with very successful event in Silver Springs

St Mary’s Football Club’s ambitious plans for a new astro pitch received a major boost recently following the outstanding success of “The Jungle”, a unique and entertaining fundraiser held at the Silver Springs Hotel.

The event brought together 24 contestants made up of players, coaches, managers, parents, friends and supporters of the club, all willing to step outside their comfort zones in support of the exciting development project.

After a night of challenges, laughs and unforgettable moments, it was Johnny Buckley who emerged victorious, earning the title of King of the Jungle. More importantly, the event raised a substantial sum of money that will go directly towards the construction of the club’s new Astro facility, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations of St. Mary’s players. 

The tremendous support shown throughout the fundraiser highlighted the strong community spirit that continues to drive the club forward.

Committee Member Laura Kiniry Power was thrilled with the success of the night and the enjoyment it brought everyone.

“While we raised a superb amount of money, the craic we all had was fantastic which was down to the wonderful people we have in our club,” said Laura.

“As a Development Committee, we knew that if we were serious about delivering a full-sized all-weather pitch for St Mary's AFC, we needed to start with a major fundraiser. We explored several different ideas, but The Jungle stood out as something fun, unique, and, most importantly, something that could involve the entire club community, including the kids.

“It would be fair to say that the last three months have been long and demanding, with countless hours of planning and organising. However, everyone pulled together, and seeing the event come to life made it all worthwhile.

“We had 24 fantastic contestants made up of managers, coaches, players, parents, friends, and supporters of the club. Every one of them embraced the challenge and played a huge part in making the night such a success.

“A special congratulations goes to Johnny Buckley, who was crowned King of the Jungle. Remarkably, Johnny only stepped in the day before the event when another contestant was unable to take part. He was outstanding throughout the night and a very worthy winner.

“The evening featured a variety of trials and heats that gradually eliminated contestants. Some challenges were hilarious, others involved snakes, rats, and creepy crawlies, while some of the eating and drinking tasks were downright gruesome. There were plenty of sick buckets needed throughout the night!

“A voting system also allowed supporters to purchase votes and bring contestants back into the competition. The final came down to Johnny Buckley and Eoin Murphy, who battled it out through a series of nerve-wracking challenges involving creepy crawlies, food, and drink. While there could only be one winner, we genuinely believe that all 24 contestants were winners.

“Each contestant was given a fundraising target of €1,500, and they absolutely surpassed expectations. Combined with ticket sales and sponsorship, it truly became a team effort, and we are forever grateful to every single contestant for their commitment and dedication.” The funds raised will go directly towards the development of a full-sized all-weather pitch, something that is badly needed given the Irish weather and the number of games and training sessions lost this season. The club are delighted to announce that Phase One of the project will commence this August with the installation of the pitch lighting.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our main sponsors, T & A Building Supplies and Murphy's Rock Bar. T & A Building Supplies continue to be fantastic supporters of the club, not only for this fundraiser but throughout the year. Murphy's Rock Bar have also been incredible supporters, and we are especially grateful to Shirley Rice, a member of their staff, who volunteered as a contestant and raised an incredible €5,000.

“We also want to acknowledge the 80–90 additional sponsors who came on board to support the event. Your generosity played a huge role in its success. To everyone who purchased tickets, sponsored contestants, donated, or attended on the night, thank you. The atmosphere was incredible, and it was a night full of fun, laughter, and community spirit. Special mention to Laura Carey who kept us dancing late into the night.

“St Mary's AFC is now home to more than 20 teams, ranging from Academy right through to Senior and Over-35s, with boys' and girls' participation continuing to grow every year. This all-weather facility is vital for the future of the club, providing long-term security and helping us accommodate our ever-growing numbers.

“As the season comes to a close, it was fantastic to come together socially and celebrate what can be achieved when a community works together. We are proud to announce that The Jungle fundraiser raised an incredible €77,000.

“Finally, a huge thank you to Bernard Power, Ken Daly, Richard Daly, and everyone else who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event possible.

“Together, we are building a brighter future for St Mary's AFC.”