The family of a boy killed in a car crash three years ago have thanked their local community for supporting a football tournament in his honour last week,

Family friends and teammates of Thomas Healy at the Thomas Healy Memorial Football Blitz in Beaufort. Photo: Girmante Plotnikova (Vissi Visuals)

Thomas Healy, who was only 14 years old, died in a tragic car accident on Ross Road on July 7, 2021.

Last weekend, and close to what would have been Thomas’ 18th, birthday his family organised a memorial football tournament at their local GAA pitch in Beaufort.

MEMORIAL

His parents Julie and Ger and his brothers first had the idea of a football tournament in the winter and the idea gathered pace early in 2024.
The Thomas Healy Memorial Football Blitz finally came to fruition last weekend.
“What began as a glimmer of an idea way back during the winter months of November and December culminated at the final whistle on Sunday evening last in the beautifully manicured grounds and newly painted surrounds of Thomas’ beloved Beaufort GAA Club on what was his third anniversary,” said a family statement.
“We, the Healy family would like to sincerely thank each and every person who helped us to realise the dream of honouring our lovely son Thomas.

“It would be very difficult to thank every person individually, but over time, we hope we will be able to do so. We offer our thanks to all of you out there in the Community; you all know who you are - you might think your input was very little, but to us, every person’s contribution was meaningful and had a huge bearing on what became one of the most successful events to be held in Beaufort Parish.”

CROWDS

The event was so popular and attracted such a crowd that one local described it as a “Beaufort Puck Fair”.
The weather held off too and the family were sure Thomas was looking down on them on the day.

“Our angel in the sky held the umbrella over the GAA grounds from start to finish. While it rained in the surrounding parishes of Killarney, Killorglin, Ballyhar and the Gap of Dunloe, and dark clouds threatened to spill over Beaufort, Thomas didn’t waver with his umbrella until we were on the final round-up of putting the grounds back to their pristine condition, and boy, did he douse us – but we didn’t mind getting saturated at that point,” added the family.

“To say that the Thomas Healy Memorial Football Blitz was a success is an understatement. It was phenomenal and ultimately, the real winners are us, the Healy Family.

“Over the past three years, we have experienced the support of the whole community, and this has been reinforced for the past few months and especially on Sunday last as we witnessed their outpouring of support. It’s a testament to the esteem in which Thomas’ memory is held.

“I know we are biased, he was our gorgeous son and brother, but his name will live long into the future for many reasons, and one of those will be for the bringing together of a whole community where everybody pulled their weight, whether it was doing printing last minute, organising car parking, stewarding, or serving teas and home baking, there wasn’t a house in the Parish who didn’t contribute to the food-laden tables.”

The organisation of the event was a community affair.

“I really don’t think there was a family or friend who hadn’t an input in the day, whether it was the local businesses in the community who made their businesses mobile on Sunday and took them to Beaufort’s Pairc Ui Choclain,” added the family.

"We hope everyone who managed to get to Beaufort enjoyed the day and we applaud the 12 teams and their management who turned up to take part. Most of these young men would have played with and against Thomas and it was a fitting tribute to Thomas that the Final consisted of his Football teammates from Beaufort proudly wearing their beloved Blue and Yellow, pitted against his soccer teammates, who lined out to play GAA for the day, in Thomas’ beloved Blue of Killarney Athletic. This brought back fond memories of hours and hours spent on the sidelines of soccer and GAA pitches throughout Kerry and beyond.”

FUNDRAISER

As well as being a memorial to Thomas, the event raised vital funds for St. Francis Special School.

“St. Francis Special School would like to thank the Healy family, their friends and the Beaufort GAA Community. We are absolutely privileged and grateful to be the beneficiary of the full proceeds from the Grand Prize Draw which took place on Sunday following two months of ticket selling by the Healy family and friends,” said Keith Bradley, principal of St. Francis Special School.

“The Thomas Healy Memorial Football Blitz was a wonderful day, and the Event was a testament to the incredible community that Beaufort is and the high regard the Healy family is held in. The school prides itself on the importance of community spirit and being there for friends and families when needed, and those same values were clear to see on the day. Congratulations to everyone involved in creating such a fantastic event and a wonderful celebration of Thomas’ life.”