Former Republic of Ireland strikers John Aldridge and Tony Cascarino have had their fair share of football honours. They’ve both competed at the highest level for club and country, starring in World Cups and FA Cup finals, but for the former hitmen, their biggest challenge is to come.
Cascarino and Aldridge are to vie for the honour of lifting the Craggy Cup!
The pair have signed up to manage teams from rival islands this weekend in a one-off match to decide which of a pair of rocky outposts off the coast of County Galway is the real Craggy Island which is of course, the home of TV series Father Ted. The match will be part of the three-day Friends of Ted festival to be held this weekend on Inis Mor, the largest of the three remote Aran Islands. The event has been organised by a group of fans from Galway to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the death of Dermot Morgan who played Ted Crilly. However, the festivals location immediately proved controversial when it was announced last month to loud opposition from inhabitants of the neighbouring Inis Oirr.
The people of Inis Orr insisted that the shipwreck featured in the title sequence of the Channel 4 series was a historic landmark on their coastline. Hence, the five-a-side match being held to decide which of the two should hold the title of the "real" Craggy Island, home to Ted, Father Dougal and Father Jack, for the next 12 months.
It will be one of a number of events at the festival related to incidents from the show, including the Father Jack Cocktail Evening, the Cleaning Fluids Drinks Reception, the Lovely Girls Contest, a Charity Auction and A Song For Europe. The organisers describe it on their website as follows: "For the pilgrims there will be celebration and there will be drink (and tea). As Brethren we will break bread (and cake) together, play Ludo and Buckaroo; quiz each other, steal whistles and write Inis Mor’s Song for Europe. We will consume Toilet Duck, laugh, cry and play five-a-side football. And when it is over we will return to our parishes somewhat lighter of pocket, but all the wealthier in heart."
Let’s just hope that Aldo doesn’t go off on a rant like he did at USA 94 eh? [Mof Gimmers via TVScoop]