Tallaght Echo
Thursday 21 July 2011
Memorial Cup to honour tragic footballer Ciaran.
Soccer tournament will help raise funds for CRY in memory of young man who died suddenly
By Mary Dennehy
[email protected]
The family and friends of a young football enthusiast who died from sudden cardiac death syndrome last year are holding memorial tournament in his honour – to raise awareness of the devastating condition.
Ciaran McDonnell passed away last February aged 24.
Since then, the family of the former MacDara’s pupil has received vital support and counselling from charity CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young) and all proceeds raised at Ciaran’s memorial cup contest will go directly to the organization.
Alongside raising awareness and providing support to families, CRY funds the Centre for Cardiovascular Risk in Younger Persons – a dedicated treatment unit in Tallaght Hospital which evaluates, for free, those at risk from cardiovascular disease.
Friend of the family Sharlene Kennedy told The Echo: “CRY has been very good to the family since Ciaran’s death, they have provided unbelievable support. We hope that the memorial cup not only raises some money for the charity but also awareness of the condition and the work of CRY”.
She added “The cup is also a way to remember Ciaran – he was such a nice young fella and always had time for everyone. He was a very happy and talkative person and we hope to keep these memories of Ciaran alive by turning the memorial cup into an annual event. The cup will be kept in the Kingswood Lodge all year round – that was Ciaran’s local – so we can be reminded of him all the time”.
The Ciaran McDonnell Memorial Cup kicks off in Ballymount Park on August 6th at 3pm.
Team sheets have closed but members of the public are invited to come along and support the players – which includes Kingswood FC, the old Kingswood FC squad and Ciaran’s family and friends.
Tickets to the tournament cost €5 and include admission to the prize giving and live music evening in the Kingswood Lodge (formerly the Clock Tower) after.
Sharele said “We hope the community will support this event, it’s for a great cause and in memory of a great lad”.
For further information visit the Ciaran McDonnell Memorial Cup Facebook page or for information on CRY visit www.cry.ie