Paula McGovern, Marymount University Hospital & Hospice, with members of the All-Ireland winning 1990 teams as Cork GAA and Marymount Hospice called on the people of Cork to Go Red on 16 September Photo: Gerard McCarthy

Time to paint the town red

Traditionally, a 30 year anniversary is marked with pearls but this year it's all about the colour red!

Cork GAA, together with Marymount Hospice, is calling on the public to go red to mark the 30 year anniversary of Cork's 1990 All-Ireland football and hurling double win. The fundraising drive is the brainchild of Cork hurler Conor Cahalane, son of Niall who was on the 1990 football team.

To get involved, the people of Cork are being asked to ‘Go Red’ on 16 September, either through wearing your jersey, red clothing or accessories or decorating your remote office, home or car.

Speaking at the launch, which coincided with the hurling anniversary yesterday, Conor said he was motivated to mark the anniversary and also support Marymount: “We had supported Marymount earlier in the year through the hugely successful Cork Hurlers Solo run campaign so I knew that Marymount were really suffering due to Covid-19 cancellations so I wanted to do something more to help.

“I wanted to also help promote the significant achievement of the Cork GAA players of 1990 including my own father. Winning the double is something very special that doesn’t happen very often and we need to celebrate it as a county.”

The launch was attended by 1990 winners including Tomás Mulcahy, Conor Counihan and Kevin Hennessy among others.

Some 75 per cent of the proceeds of the campaign will go to Marymount Hospice, with 25 per cent going to Cork GAA.

Head of Fundraising and Communications, Paula McGovern, said: “Marymount is delighted to be part of this significant achievement for Cork GAA. The thirtieth anniversary of winning the double is something that needs to be celebrated and we hope we will bring some lightness to what has been and continues to be a tough year for many.

“While we cannot run any of our standard events this year this is a great way for people to bring some colour into their day, mark their county’s achievements and donate to Marymount all the while. We would like to call on schools, businesses and individuals get on board remotely. And don’t forget to share your Go Red images on the day using #goredforcork.”