EXCLUSIVE

By Michelle Crean

A brand new football tournament is planned to honour the late Niall McGillicuddy, who was one of Kerry’s finest young football players.

Yesterday (Thursday), Kerry Manager Peter Keane launched the ‘Niall McGillicuddy Memorial Cup’ at 4pm on the balcony of the International Hotel.

Killarney Legion GAA plan to run the football tournament on Saturday, August 17 in memory of Niall, a former player with their underage academy, who died of Leukaemia last October, aged just 16.

The club said it’s not a fundraiser, but more a celebration of Niall’s love of football.

“Last October the McGillicuddy family suffered an incalculable and devastating loss with the untimely passing of their much loved son and brother Niall,” Pat Moynihan, a member of organising committee, told the Killarney Advertiser.

“The entire community of Killarney and beyond was overwhelmed with sadness and disbelief when this earth-shattering news broke. Nowhere outside of the family was this loss more keenly felt than in Killarney Legion GAA Club.”

He explained that Niall had been a constant presence in Derreen since a very young boy and they had all watched him develop into a talented and dedicated Gaelic footballer, but more importantly into a hugely popular, kind and considerate young man.

“We were all looking forward to sharing in what was destined to be an honour laden and successful future both on and off the field of play.

“As family, friends and club colleagues of Daithi, Sheila, Ellen and Jane, we all wished there was something we could do in any small way, to ease the pain of their unspeakable loss. In truth of course there really isn’t much one can do except offer friendship and companionship which comes naturally in the GAA where club truly is family.”

However, he added that when the family indicated that they might like to do something to commemorate Niall’s memory, they didn’t have to ask again.

“A small committee was set up initially to explore various options, but really it was always going to be football, and following consultation with the family, the ‘Niall McGillicuddy Memorial Cup’ was conceived. This is an U16 competition, the age Niall will always be now, and is a one day competition taking place on August 17. Niall had friends in many clubs through his involvement in school teams, divisional sides and development squads and it was these friendships and indeed great rivalries which dicated the teams to be invited this year,” he said.

“The whole club is involved in the organisation of the event and we are confident that the tournament will be a fitting tribute to a very special and much missed son, brother and friend.”