Lucan Gazette
Thursday 31 May 2012
Dublin brothers Jonathan and Ken Treacy are organizing their second annual charity five a side tournament and family fun day in aid of CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young to help support the Screening Centre based in Tallaght hospital.
A former League of ireland player, Jonathan played for UCD in the 1990s. he was himself affected by this condition: during the 1996 season, he began to feel unwell during tougher games and decided to under tests. These tests showed that he had probable hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
This condition can be a factor in Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), which has received a lot of publicity due to the recent case of Fabrice Muamba, and the tragic deaths of Cormac McAnallen and other young sports people.
Jonathan said: “I was lucky enough that the thickness of the muscle in my heart is very small and is an area that doesn’t directly affect anything, so I was free to continue my life without any need for intervention.
“My brother, Ken, plays top level hockey and the same thing developed at the same age with him but again, he is monitored every so often.
“Because of the help and support that we have received from CRY, and Dr Deirdre Ward in particularly, my brother and I decided to organise a five-a-side tournament to raise funds.
“Through the generous sponsorship of Astropark, Musgraves and others, we will hold the tournament in Astroppark in Tallaght on Saturday, June 16, between 11am and 2.30pm. There will be a BBQ, bouncy castles, face painting and music there on the day so we are encouraging a fun, family atmosphere.”
The brothers raised almost €4,000 last year with 100 players taking part in the tournament and friends and families coming along to support. This year they are hoping to double the numbers as there was such a positive reaction.
Entry to the tournament costs €125 per team of five to sven players. This includes food and soft drinks a the barbeque. Players must be over 16 years old. Further details and information can be found on the www.cry5asidechallenge.com or contact Jonathan Treacy at 085 2718851 or Lucia Ebbs at CRY on 01 4525482.
