Charity match for families struck by illness

THE heat of the late evening sun enveloped the Keavey family homestead west of the Crosses of Annagh last Sunday evening. Far across the freshly cut fields, the Atlantic glistened blue and serene, as news filtered through of Kilmurry Ibrickane’s latest O’Gorman Cup success in neighbouring Doonbeg.
That news was apt given the GAA pitch in Quilty village will be the centre of community activity on Friday evening. A selection of former club and county footballers from the 1990s, along with some All-Ireland winning Clare hurlers, will take to the field for a fundraising game that was the brainchild of Sharon Campbell’s brother Martin Keavey.

Two years ago Sharon was diagnosed with cancer and Friday’s match will donate funds raised to young families hit by illness.

“It’s to help families in a similar situation to ourselves. We’re going to keep it local as far as possible and give the money to families in Clare. It might help them with the little extras you wouldn’t think you would need,” Sharon suggested under the warmth of the unrelenting sunshine.

“It’s two years now since I found the lump on my leg. I spent an awful lot of time away from the kids and away from the family so one of the first things the lads got me was an i-pad, when I was going into hospital, so I could keep in touch,” in explanation of where she would like to see the money raised going. 

Hopeful that the fundraiser will be of benefit to other families, Sharon has been bowled over by the generosity of people when they learned of her illness. Family and friends have donated countless hours to Sharon, her husband, Malcolm, and their four children.

“Neighbours and family have been very generous and not just when I was first diagnosed. I’d get a card out of the blue and I’d realise that somebody is still thinking about me. It’s very thoughtful,” Sharon said softly.

She doesn’t deny that family life has changed utterly in recent times.

“Both our lives were turned upside down. Because I was carer for our older son Seán, Malcolm had to take over that role as well as looking after the kids going to school and running the home. He had to take over all that because I spent a good bit of time in hospital,” Sharon reflected.

Their children Seán (15), Caitlin (13), Matthew (10) and Joseph (9) are naturally the couple’s priority.

“We’ve adapted as well as we can and we’re trying to have things as normal as possible for them. One of us has to be here at all times and that’s when our families step in so that I’m never alone when I go to an appointment. Or if Malcolm has to come with me there’s always someone in the family to mind the kids,” Sharon added.

It’s appropriate that Kilmurry-Ibrickane will host the game. Sharon wore the green and red jersey as a teenager and remembers a momentous championship win in 1983.

“I was on the first Kilmurry Ibrickane U-14 girls team that won in 1983. I still have the photograph from all those years ago. It was the first year our ladies club was set up. I was always a back,” Sharon smiled.
Motherly pride has Sharon insisting that Caitlin, who currently plays under age for Kilmurry, is a more talented footballer than her mother.

“She’s much better. She played in goals for a good few years but now they’re bringing her out,” Caitlin’s proud mother noted.

At half time on Friday evening the Kilmurry U-8 and U-10 boys will show what they can do in their own exhibition game.

“Matthew and Joseph, are playing in the half time match on Friday. They’re big into the football,” Sharon said, not forgetting that Seán also has a leaning towards the football.

“He used to love going to matches when he was smaller,” Sharon confirmed.

Surrounded by her sisters Caroline and Lisa as she spoke, Sharon’s brother Martin came up with the football charity game idea.

“Caroline had organised other charity events and Martin just wanted to do something,” Sharon said.

The game will throw in at 7pm on Friday and will feature Ciaran McManus, Declan Browne, Padraig Joyce and Declan O’Keeffe, along with a host of former Clare and Kilmurry Ibrickane players.

Speculation is rife that county board chairman Michael McDonagh has agreed to tog out on the basis that he will be utilised as a target man in a four-man full-forward line, while former Miltown and Clare footballer Martin Flynn is expected to wear the Kilmurry Ibrickane jersey, socks and togs with genuine pride, for one evening only.

Sharon is confident that the spectators will enjoy the match even if some of the participants may find the searing recent weather rather challenging.