On Saturday, Dromara Village FC hosted top Irish League side Crusaders, who brought a full-strength side to Bellsbridge for a charity match in aid of MacMillan Cancer. The match was held in support of the club’s good friend and former player, manager, committee member, and long-time member, Noel Barr, affectionately known as ‘Yogi’, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April.
Dromara Village Secretary Malcolm Hanna commented: “Along with Noel’s family and friends, we were all devastated to hear about Noel’s diagnosis. Having known Yogi from my teens and with him being a close friend and also being a big part of the club in years gone by, when Dromara Village was approached by Crusaders to play them in a friendly, we were only too pleased to take the match and make the day that wee bit more special, with all the gate receipts going to the MacMillan Cancer charity.”
As well as being a glamour match on the club’s pre-season programme, Saturday’s game was extra special, as Yogi’s son Leon was part of the Crusaders squad after recently signing a pro contract. Leon came through our youth academy under the guidance of Jonny Rainey. Leon was joined on the Bellsbridge pitch by three of his former Dromara Youth teammates: Rhys Holland-Hanna, Lewis Redmond, and Reuben Walsh, who were all part of the Dromara squad on Saturday.
A large crowd of close to 400 was in attendance, with Crusaders putting on a real show for the fans. But charity was the real winner on the day, with almost £1,900 being raised at the gate. Noel’s family are doing a sponsored walk on Saturday 23 August at Castlewellan Forest Park, starting at 10am. Everyone is welcome to come along and show their support.
The club wishes Noel all the best with his treatment.
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