A Laois man is set to take on an incredible challenge as he prepares to visit all 32 counties in an effort to raise funds for a local sports club.
Gavin Molloy will begin his journey today, Tuesday, January 28, setting off from his local club in Rossleighan Park, Portlaoise.
Gavin is a life-long member of Portlaoise AFC and has been coaching at the club for almost ten years.
The club began fundraising for a new AstroTurf pitch in October 2023 and have so far raised almost €90,000 of their €250,000 target.
“I’ve been coaching since I was 18 and I just wanted to give back any way I could,” Gavin said.
“Myself and a few friends came up with the idea a few months ago and I finally mentioned it at our Christmas party and the club were up for it.”
Gavin will be joined by Willie Ryan as they drive to a different soccer club in each of the 32 counties in just three days.
The pair will be documenting the trip along the way on their TikTok channel @thetowniestales.
Tuesday 28
- Laois – Portlaoise AFC
- Kildare – Newbridge Town
- Dublin – Shamrock Rovers
- Meath – Parkvilla FC
- Louth – Drogheda Utd/Dundalk
- Monaghan – Monaghan united
- Armagh – Armagh City
- Down – Bangor FC
- Belfast – Dundela FC
- Antrim – Ballyclare Comrades
- Derry – Derry City
- Tyrone – Beragh Swifts
- Donegal – Finn Harps
Wednesday 29
- Fermanagh – Ballinamallard Utd
- Cavan – Cavan Celtic
- Westmeath – Athlone Town
- Offaly – Tullamore Town
- Roscommon – Roscommon Town
- Longford – Longford town
- Leitrim – Leitrim Gaels
- Sligo – Sligo Rovers
- Mayo – Castlebar Utd
- Galway – Galway Utd
- Clare – Avenue Utd
- Limerick – Treaty United
- Kerry – Tralee Utd
Thursday 30
- Cork – Cork City
- Waterford – Waterford FC
- Wexford – Wexford FC
- Wicklow – Wicklow Rovers
- Carlow – Carlow IT
- Kilkenny – Carlow/Kilkenny FC
You can support Gavin and the club by donating at their GoFundMe page here.
“Gavin’s fundraiser is the first of a few ideas we have at hand,” said Karl Byrne of Portlaoise AFC.
“We plan to run a 12-hour football marathon towards the end of our season.
“The ultimate goal is to get a full size, state of the art Astro pitch in, with fencing and lights.
“We are hoping to get moving on this before the end of 2026.”
The club have been awarded planning permission from Laois County Council and received a €400,000 grant under the Sports Capital Program.
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