THERE were plenty of Liverpool FC shirts on show around the Curragh last Saturday. Fans of The Reds were out in force to support the LFC Foundation, the club’s official charity.

The initiative, supported by the Kirkland family, saw the Scurry Handicap on Irish Oaks day carry the name of the Foundation. The aim was to raise the profile of the LFC Foundation’s work in tackling social inequality in their communities and in Ireland through improving health, championing learning and enhancing employability opportunities for all.

The LFC Foundation supports over 145,000 people, with over 36,000 people so far having felt their support in Ireland thanks to engagement with the FAI and three League of Ireland football clubs, who all deliver community interventions in schools, classrooms, community centres and on football pitches.

On Saturday, a number of Liverpool FC legends were in attendance, including the club’s all-time leading goalscorer Ian Rush, Neil Mellor and former England International turned LFC Foundation Community Ambassador, Chris Kirkland.

Liverpool FC Women’s captain Grace Fisk was also there, alongside former players Becky Easton and record goalscorer and former England International Natasha Dowie. There were plenty of autograph signings and photo opportunities as well as interactions with the club’s mascot, Mighty Red.

We desperately wanted to see Man Utd fan Eddie Lynam saddle the winner of the Scurry Handicap but we had the next best thing as the winner, Sondad, is owned by Bradford businessman Gary Routledge, who is possibly a Leeds fan, just like Curragh CEO Brian Kavanagh.

*Last week we published a poem written in tribute to 1948 Irish Oaks winner Linaria. The verse should have been attributed to William Gainey. He was later head lad to Charlie Weld and father of Colm Gainey, well-known farrier and equestrian.